UK Department for Education (DFE) Accredited (NPQs)

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

Our National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) for international schools, prepares aspiring & current headteachers in international schools to lead effectively, shaping a thriving educational environment for pupils and staff alike.

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Quick Facts

Awarding Body

UK Department for Education

Study Mode

Online / Blended

Course Format

Online Study Units

Certification

England's DFE Accredited

Registration

Up to 4 weeks in advance of course

Certificate Timeline

Issued after completion within 4 weeks

Who should apply for NPQH?

Assistant Headteachers

Deputy Headteachers

Aspiring Headteachers

Heads of Key Stage

Course Duration

18 months

Master Credits

100

Virtual Face-to-Face Events*

Online learning

38 hours

Coaching

6 hours

Total Learning Hours

104 Hours

Registration Process

Submit Application

Submit your application through ICD's online form. Shortlisted candidates receive an offer letter.

Payment & Enrolment

Pay the course fee and share the payment receipt to confirm enrolment.

Access Portal

Once enrolled, you'll receive your login details by email to begin coursework on ICD's portal.

Each of the four annual intakes (Jan, April, July, October) runs for 3 months.

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What are the benefits of completing the NPQ for Headship (NPQH)?

Benefits for schools

Strategic School Leadership

The NPQH prepares leaders to take on whole-school responsibilities, ensuring schools have confident, capable headteachers who can drive strategic improvement and raise standards.

Schools benefit from a leader who can establish and implement a cohesive vision, aligning all efforts towards achieving high-quality outcomes for pupils.

Evidence-Based Decision Making

Headteachers trained through the NPQH are professionally aware and able to make informed, evidence-based decisions, helping the school to navigate new challenges effectively and efficiently.

These leaders are equipped to review and evaluate school practices thoroughly, implementing changes that positively impact both students and staff.

Empowerment and Team Development

NPQH graduates learn to delegate responsibility effectively, empowering other staff members to lead on key school improvement initiatives and fostering a collaborative school culture.

By building a strong, impact-focused leadership team, schools can ensure the succession of high-quality leaders, maintaining continuous progress and stability.

Benefits for learners

Essential Headship Skills

You will develop the key skills required for effective headship, enabling you to confidently lead a school and drive long-term success.

This qualification is DfE accredited and internationally recognised, reflecting a high standard of leadership development and boosting your professional credentials.

Personal and Professional Growth

The NPQH offers opportunities for reflection on your leadership practice and allows you to network with a diverse group of school leaders, broadening your perspectives.

You will gain increased self-awareness and a deeper understanding of the behaviours needed to inspire and lead your school community effectively.

Confidence and Capability

The programme will boost your confidence to articulate and drive a compelling vision, while also enhancing your ability to improve school standards.

You will strengthen your capacity to take on whole-school responsibilities and learn how to hold others to account, ensuring impactful and sustainable improvements.

FAQs

What are the requirements?

Applicants must have full support from a sponsor within their school/organisation. This can be a head teacher, member of the SLT, line manager, Executive Head (or similar authoritative role) who must confirm their support for your application and that all information submitted is true and correct. There is no financial obligation for this role and it is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.

To apply for NPHQ, applicants must have the following:

2 years teaching experience
Leadership aspiration/experience
Must be proficient in English
A Teacher Reference Number (TRN) will also be required to obtain a DfE accredited certificate upon successful completion of the programme. Applicants will be supported to obtain their TRN during the registration process if they do not already have one.

If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact our team who will be able to support your application.

What does it cost?

NPHQ International costs £2750 plus VAT where applicable. VAT is chargeable on courses funded by private individuals.

‍Please refer to our NPQ programme funding guidance document for more information.

Leadership performance coach

The Leadership Mentor is a participant’s main point of contact for the duration of the NPHQ. Our Leadership Mentors are experienced teachers and leaders who are experts in our programme curriculum. They understand first-hand the challenges teachers experience in work life. Their role is to support a participant's progress and development through the programme. They support you by:

Providing advice and feedback throughout the programme
Marking and responding to all of your practice task activities completed for each online course
Providing you with feedback on each of the Formative Assessment Tasks following their completion

Our Leadership Mentors apply flexibility and are accountable to ensure success on your programme. With the above responsibilities, their main role and purpose is to help you manage your workload and ensure work life balance as much as possible whilst studying with us.

At the end of the programme, in conjunction with their mentor and in-school performance coach, participants will evaluate the impact of the programme on their leadership development and the benefits to their school.

NPHQ Framework

The NPQ frameworks are based on a robust method of design and development, building on the evidence base and expert guidance already established in the ECF and the ITT Core Content Framework. The NPQ frameworks reflect the Teachers’ Standards and Headteachers' Standards to ensure coherency with the requirements already used by the teaching profession.

Please see the NPQH Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf here.

Program Fee

LEADERSHIP Qualifications

Empowering school leaders and aspiring heads.

Cert in Headship

£ 2750

Essential for current or aspiring Headteachers.

Need-based and merit-based scholarships available at ICD Centers.

Enquire Now

Take the next step in your teaching journey by registering your interest with ICD. Submit your enquiry online to receive guidance on modules, preparation options, registration, and payment process.