National Professional Qualifications
Evidence-based professional development for teachers and school leaders at every career stage. Currently fully funded by the Department for Education.
Why Study for an NPQ?
The National Professional Qualifications offer comprehensive training and support for teachers and school leaders. Whether you're developing expertise in teaching practice or building skills for multi-academy leadership, NPQs provide a structured pathway to achieving your goals.
Enhance Your Skills — Develop evidence-based practices that directly improve your teaching and leadership.
Advance Your Career — Gain recognised qualifications that open doors to leadership positions.
Gain Confidence — Build the skills and knowledge to excel confidently in your role.
Fully Funded — Currently fully funded by the DfE with no cost to you.
Why Choose Aspirations Learning Institute?
Since October 2022, we've partnered with Leadership Learning Securing Excellence (LLSE) to deliver NPQs across southern England and beyond.
Regional Coverage
Delivering NPQs across southern England with hubs in Oxfordshire, West London, and the South Coast.
Expert Facilitators
Learn from experienced education leaders who bring real-world expertise to every session.
10+ Years Experience
LLSE brings more than a decade of experience delivering high-quality training programmes.
NPQSENCO
The National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Coordinators. Designed for new, existing and aspiring SENCOs and those who want to understand what underpins successful SEND leadership.
- Designed for new, existing and aspiring SENCOs and those who want to understand what underpins successful SEND leadership
- 12 month course
- Learning is undertaken through face-to-face training and tutoring, online webinars, and self-study
- You will be expertly guided through your modules by your facilitators
*The course is fully funded for eligible schools. Find more information here. We are also open to applications for self-funded or employer-funded programmes.
How to register for your NPQSENCO
To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
How to Register
How to register for your NPQSENCO
To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
Course Content
This course is comprised of 10 modules. Modules include:
- How to develop an inclusive culture
- The identification and assessment of SEND
- Understanding and implementation of statutory SEND legislation
- A focus on working in partnership with leaders, families and external agencies
Throughout the course, there are opportunities for you to complete formative assessment activities which will enable you and your facilitator to reflect on and evaluate the progress you make whilst completing the qualification.
How Will I Be Assessed
Formative assessment takes place throughout the programme, helping you to understand the progress you are making, and facilitators to adapt your learning experiences.
There are two overall criteria for achieving the qualification:
- Engagement with a minimum of 90% of the course
- Successful completion of the summative assessment
Summative assessment takes the form of a 1,500-word response to a case study, completed in a single 8-day window at the end of your programme. The assessment will give you the opportunity to demonstrate how you would deploy the knowledge, skills and understanding gained through the NPQ to lead and implement a specific aspect of change.
Trainee Expectations
- Active engagement in every aspect of the programme — face-to-face and online elements
- A commitment to accurate, evidence-informed self-evaluation and reflection
- The ability to proactively arrange and participate in coaching sessions
- A commitment to submit a 1,500-word assessment within 8 calendar days of it being set at the end of the programme
- A commitment to thoughtfully engage with evaluations about their entire programme learning experience that will support our continued quality improvement
NPQSL
The National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Designed for leaders who hold, or are working towards, a senior leadership role with responsibilities that reach across a school or college.
- Designed for current and aspiring senior leaders with cross-school or cross-college responsibilities
- 18-month course delivered across four modules
- Around 1.5–2.5 hours of study per week, combining face-to-face training, live online webinars and self-study
- Individual in-school coaching alongside expert facilitation throughout
*The course is fully funded for eligible schools. Find more information here. We are also open to applications for self-funded or employer-funded programmes.
How to register for your NPQSL
Applications are now open. To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
How to Register
How to register for your NPQSL
Applications are now open. To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
Course Content
This course is made up of four modules, each taking around 12 weeks to complete. In every module you'll combine online study with two live webinars and a half-day face-to-face session. The key topics, explored through the lens of senior leadership, include:
- School and college culture
- Teaching, curriculum and assessment
- Behaviour
- Additional and special educational needs and disabilities
- Professional development
- Organisational management and implementation
- Working in partnership
- Governance and accountability
Throughout each module you'll complete formative assessment activities, giving you and your facilitator the chance to reflect on and evaluate your progress.
How Will I Be Assessed
Formative assessment runs throughout the programme, helping you track your progress and allowing facilitators to tailor your learning. There are two criteria for achieving the qualification:
- Engagement with at least 90% of the course
- Successful completion of the summative assessment
The summative assessment is a 2,500-word response to a case study, completed within a single 8-day window at the end of the programme. It's your opportunity to show how you'd apply the knowledge, skills and understanding from the NPQ to lead and implement a specific area of change.
Trainee Expectations
- Active engagement in every part of the programme, both face-to-face and online
- A commitment to honest, evidence-informed self-evaluation and reflection
- Taking the initiative to arrange and take part in coaching sessions
- Submitting your 2,500-word assessment within 8 calendar days of it being set
- Engaging thoughtfully with programme evaluations to support our ongoing quality improvement
NPQH
The National Professional Qualification for Headship. Designed for leaders who are, or aspire to be, a headteacher, principal or head of school with overall responsibility for leading a school or college.
- Designed for current and aspiring headteachers, principals and heads of school
- 18-month course delivered across four modules
- Around 1.5–2.5 hours of study per week, combining face-to-face training, live online webinars and self-study
- Individual in-school coaching alongside expert facilitation throughout
*The course is fully funded for eligible schools. Find more information here. We are also open to applications for self-funded or employer-funded programmes.
How to register for your NPQH
Applications are now open. To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
How to Register
How to register for your NPQH
Applications are now open. To register for a programme, please apply via LLSE. Select Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner.
You will also need to register with the Department for Education through their NPQ registration portal.
Course Content
This course is made up of four modules, each taking around 12 weeks to complete. In every module you'll combine online study with two live webinars and a half-day face-to-face session. The key topics, explored through the lens of headship, include:
- School and college culture
- Teaching, curriculum and assessment
- Behaviour
- Additional and special educational needs and disabilities
- Professional development
- Organisational management and implementation
- Working in partnership
- Governance and accountability
Throughout each module you'll complete formative assessment activities, giving you and your facilitator the chance to reflect on and evaluate your progress.
How Will I Be Assessed
Formative assessment runs throughout the programme, helping you track your progress and allowing facilitators to tailor your learning. There are two criteria for achieving the qualification:
- Engagement with at least 90% of the course
- Successful completion of the summative assessment
The summative assessment is a 2,500-word response to a case study, completed within a single 8-day window at the end of the programme. It's your opportunity to show how you'd apply the knowledge, skills and understanding from the NPQ to lead and implement a specific area of change.
What to Expect from Your NPQ
Our programmes provide comprehensive support for your professional development.
High-Quality Content
Designed by experienced educators and strategic partners with the latest research.
Expert Facilitators
Support from experienced professionals who guide, challenge, and inspire your development.
Online Learning Platform
Intuitive platform making your learning accessible anytime, anywhere.
Manageable Workloads
Structured learning activities designed to fit around your teaching responsibilities.
Individual Coaching
Built into every NPQ to support your personal and professional growth.
Network Access
Connect with leaders at Aspirations Learning Institute and LLSE.
What Our Graduates Say
The NPQ programme transformed my approach to leadership. The combination of practical application and evidence-based learning gave me the confidence to lead meaningful change in my school.