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.

4.8

351 reviews

560 Student Enrolled

Book Now

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

Virtual Face-to-Face Events*

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.

Fill up this form

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the 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.

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.

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.

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.

Flexible and Accessible Learning

The programme is delivered through a purpose-built virtual learning environment, accessible on mobiles and tablets, allowing for convenient study alongside work commitments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.