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National Professional Qualifications
NPQs are nationally recognised, DfE-funded qualifications designed to support the development of teachers and leaders at all stages of their careers. They help teachers and leaders improve their practice, lead more effectively, and make a positive impact on pupil outcomes.
NPQs offer:
- Training and support for teachers and leaders at all levels
- Flexible study designed to fit around existing school commitments
- A clear route to career progression
- A focus on sustainable, evidence informed school improvement
Our partners
Exchange Teaching Hub is proud to offer the full suite of NPQs in partnership with two lead providers, University College London and Best Practice Network.
UCL Centre for Educational Leadership
- Grounded in research and designed by experienced school leaders
- Supported by UCL’s world-class expertise in education
- Delivered locally by our expert facilitators for relevance and impact
- Blended delivery with both face-to-face and online learning
Find out more: National Professional Qualifications | UCL Institute of Education
Best Practice Network (BPN)
- Full face-to-face delivery model
- Includes bespoke 1:1 coaching for every participant
- Proven impact on leadership, school improvement and pupil outcomes
Find out more: NPQs for UK Schools | Best Practice Network
Our Offer
From teachers looking to deepen their expertise through Specialist NPQs to those preparing for strategic roles with Leadership NPQs, these nationally recognised qualifications offer training and support at every career stage.
Leadership NPQs
Lead a school with clarity, compassion and strategic focus.
The UCL NPQH develops headteachers who can shape culture, drive improvement and lead strategic change across their school.
- Lead whole-school improvement with evidence-informed decision‑making.
- Build a culture where staff thrive and pupils succeed.
- Strengthen your capability in financial oversight, governance and operational leadership.
- Drive high-quality teaching and learning.
Lead with confidence. Drive whole-school improvement.
Accelerate your journey into senior leadership with UCL’s rigorous, research-informed NPQSL, designed to grow leaders capable of driving whole-school improvement.
- Design and deliver evidence-informed improvement strategies.
- Strengthen staff development and leadership of teaching.
- Lead behaviour, culture and inclusion across teams.
- Implement sustainable systems that support outcomes.
Senior leadership national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Lead high quality early years provision grounded in research about child development, early learning and effective pedagogy.
- Leading early years pedagogy
- Creating enabling environments
- Strengthening workforce capability
- Improving early literacy and numeracy foundations
- Working with families and external partners
Early years leadership national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Develop strategic SEND leadership, deep statutory knowledge, and the skills to create inclusive cultures where all pupils can thrive.
- Create and sustain an inclusive whole-school culture.
- Understand statutory frameworks and the SEND landscape.
- Identify need and lead high quality, research-informed provision.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, specialists and families
Special educational needs co-ordinator's (SENCO) national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Specialist NPQs
Develop others. Strengthen practice. Lead with expertise.
- Develop an evidence‑informed approach to designing and delivering high‑quality teacher development.
- Build expertise to support colleagues’ growth with practical, applicable strategies.
- Benefit from a flexible blend of face‑to‑face, online learning and coaching.
- Complete a 12-month programme designed around a busy teaching schedule.
Leading teacher development national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Create a positive, inclusive and safe school culture.
- Develop strategies to shape whole-school behaviour and wellbeing.
- Learn evidence-based approaches to fostering a thriving school environment.
- Benefit from a flexible blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences.
- Complete a 12-month programme designed around a busy teaching schedule
Leading behaviour and culture national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Create a positive, inclusive and safe school culture.
- Develop strategies to shape whole-school behaviour and wellbeing.
- Learn evidence-based approaches to fostering a thriving school environment.
- Benefit from a flexible blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences.
- Complete a 12-month programme designed around a busy teaching schedule.
Leading teaching national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Champion literacy to unlock learning for every pupil.
- Build expertise in leading language, reading, writing and whole-school literacy strategies.
- Support colleagues to improve literacy teaching using evidence-informed approaches.
- Learn to create a culture that promotes reading for pleasure and strong language development.
- Complete a 12-month programme, combining self study and facilitated group learning.
Leading literacy national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Lead mastery-based primary maths with confidence.
- Develop and embed high-quality mastery approaches to primary maths.
- Strengthen whole-school systems for effective maths teaching and curriculum design.
- Learn how pupils learn mathematics to build resilience, problem-solving and confident number sense.
- Complete a 12-month programme, blending self study and group sessions.
Leading primary mathematics national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Whether you're looking to develop your teaching expertise or take the next step in leadership, NPQs provide high-quality professional development designed around real school priorities.