UK Department for Education (DFE) Accredited (NPQs)
National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
The National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching (NPQLT) for international schools, equips teachers to lead teaching effectively, empowering them to drive excellence in their schools.
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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 NPQLT?
Teachers
Heads of Department
Heads of Year
Subject Leaders
Professional Development Leads
Mentors and Coaches
CPD Coordinators
Course Duration
12 months
Master Credits
40
Virtual Face-to-Face Events*
3
Online learning
Online
Coaching
5 hours
Total Guided Learning
74 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.
Register hereFill up this form
Who should apply for NPQLT?
Teachers
Heads of Department
Heads of Year
Subject Leaders
Professional Development Leads
Mentors and Coaches
CPD Coordinators
What are the benefits of completing the NPQ Leading Teaching (NPQLT)?
Benefits for schools
Informed Workforce
Leaders who complete the NPQLT programme will be able to make evidence-based decisions, ensuring teaching practices are both effective and efficient.
Teachers will have a deep understanding of educational research and best practices, making them well-equipped to enhance teaching quality throughout the school.
Teachers will have a deep understanding of educational research and best practices, making them well-equipped to enhance teaching quality throughout the school.
Succession Planning
NPQLT prepares future leaders, supporting the development of a cohesive and impact-driven school leadership team.
By nurturing leadership talent within the school, it ensures a strong pipeline of skilled leaders ready to take on key responsibilities.
By nurturing leadership talent within the school, it ensures a strong pipeline of skilled leaders ready to take on key responsibilities.
Improved Outcomes
NPQLT-trained leaders will be able to review and evaluate teaching practices, driving meaningful change to benefit pupils and staff.
Their ability to implement evidence-based improvements helps maximise educational outcomes and fosters a positive school environment.
Their ability to implement evidence-based improvements helps maximise educational outcomes and fosters a positive school environment.
Benefits for learners
Contextual and Relevant Content
Course materials are tailored to reflect local contexts and are regularly updated to align with national policy changes and legislation.
Learning is facilitated by experienced school leaders from outstanding institutions, providing participants with real-world insights and guidance.
Learning is facilitated by experienced school leaders from outstanding institutions, providing participants with real-world insights and guidance.
Flexible and Accessible Learning
The programme is delivered through a purpose-built virtual learning environment, accessible on mobiles and tablets.
Participants are guaranteed support to pass the final assessment, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident in demonstrating their leadership skills.
Participants are guaranteed support to pass the final assessment, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident in demonstrating their leadership skills.
Professional Growth
Develop the ability to lead and support effective teaching practices across the school, boosting your impact as an educational leader.
Gain expertise in specialist areas relevant to your role, such as curriculum design and assessment, to enhance your professional skill set.
Gain expertise in specialist areas relevant to your role, such as curriculum design and assessment, to enhance your professional skill set.
What will you learn on the NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)?
The NPQ in Leading Teaching (NPQLT) provides international school teachers with a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing classroom practice and pupil outcomes. The programme focuses on evidence-based teaching methods, including how to design effective lesson plans, implement impactful assessment strategies, and create inclusive environments that support diverse learning needs.
You’ll learn how to set high expectations for both pupils and staff, foster a culture of collaboration, and lead by example in developing consistently high-quality teaching standards across your school. In addition to core teaching methodologies, the NPQLT delves into using data to identify areas for improvement, adapting instruction to meet varied cultural and educational backgrounds, and embedding continuous professional growth within your team.
Best Practice Network’s global expertise and virtual learning environment mean you’ll receive guidance from experienced facilitators familiar with international contexts, gaining actionable insights tailored to the unique dynamics of international schools.
You’ll learn how to set high expectations for both pupils and staff, foster a culture of collaboration, and lead by example in developing consistently high-quality teaching standards across your school. In addition to core teaching methodologies, the NPQLT delves into using data to identify areas for improvement, adapting instruction to meet varied cultural and educational backgrounds, and embedding continuous professional growth within your team.
Best Practice Network’s global expertise and virtual learning environment mean you’ll receive guidance from experienced facilitators familiar with international contexts, gaining actionable insights tailored to the unique dynamics of international schools.
How is the Leading Teaching programme delivered?
The NPQLT is a 12-month programme that includes three Face-to-Face events, 34 hours of online study, and time for independent learning.
The qualification is a structured, cyclical programme that begins with a Face-to-Face event, which can be attended in person or remotely from anywhere in the world.
Each cycle then progresses with an online course module, practice activities, and a formative assessment task, allowing you to build and apply new skills with immediate impact. The cycle concludes with in-school performance coaching, providing personalised support to help you implement your learning effectively. This approach combines flexibility with practical, in-depth learning tailored to the unique needs of educators in international school settings.
The programme concludes with an Impact Review and followed by a Summative Assessment Case Study.
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 or Chair of Governors (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 NPQLT, 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.
To apply for NPQLT, 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?
NPQLT International costs £1375 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.
Please refer to our NPQ programme funding guidance document for more information.
Leadership Mentor
The Leadership Mentor is a participant’s main point of contact for the duration of the NPQLT. 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.
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.
In-school Performance Coach?
The in-school performance coach, nominated by the participant’s school, will offer support, guidance and challenge to a participant through six planned coaching sessions. They will provide feedback following their completion of formative assessment tasks and monitor and support participant progress through the programme.
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. See the In-School Performance Coach (ISPC) Handbook for more information.
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. See the In-School Performance Coach (ISPC) Handbook for more information.
NPQLT 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 NPQLT Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf here.
Please see the NPQLT 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.
Specialist NPQs Certificates
£1,705.00
Leading Teaching, Behaviour & Culture, or Teacher Development
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.
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Exam Prepration
Meet the Team
Our tutors bring a wide range of expertise across teaching qualifications, language training, corporate development, and academic instruction. Below is a selection of our current instructors.
Syeda Alishbah Zehra
Founder & CEO of IWZ International
Aminah Ali
English Language Educator & Teacher Trainer
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Hamad Ul Qudous
Instructor
Warjil Augustine
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