NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)

Create a positive culture in which every pupil can thrive

The National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) equips current and aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence to improve behaviour, strengthen school culture and support pupil wellbeing.

Designed for teachers working in international schools, this Department for Education-accredited qualification combines expert-led training, flexible online learning, practical school-based development and one-to-one coaching.

Educational Success Partners delivers NPQLBC in partnership with Best Practice Network, a Department for Education-licensed NPQ provider with extensive experience of supporting thousands of teachers and school leaders.

Delivered remotely over 12 months, the programme enables teachers around the world to gain a highly regarded professional qualification without stepping away from their current role.

Lead behaviour effectively. Build a positive culture. Help pupils and colleagues thrive.

NPQLBC at a glance

  • 12-month, part-time programme

  • Three virtual face-to-face events

  • Flexible online study

  • Five hours of in-school performance coaching

  • 74 total learning hours

  • Department for Education-accredited qualification

  • Final assessment through a case-study scenario

  • 40 Master’s credits on successful completion

  • Remote worldwide delivery for international schools

Who is NPQLBC for?

NPQLBC is designed for teachers and school leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibility for leading behaviour, culture or pupil wellbeing.

It is particularly suitable for:

  • Leaders responsible for behaviour and culture

  • Teachers developing positive and inclusive school environments

  • Pastoral leaders

  • Heads of year or phase

  • Inclusion and wellbeing leaders

  • Teachers leading behaviour or wellbeing initiatives

  • Staff responsible for developing or implementing behaviour systems

Applicants should have completed at least two full years of teaching and hold QTS, QTLS, a Level 5 or higher qualification in any subject, or an international equivalent.

Participants must also identify an appropriate in-school performance coach who can support their development throughout the programme.

Become an expert leader of behaviour and culture

Creating a calm, safe and supportive environment is essential for effective teaching and learning.

Leading behaviour and culture requires more than responding to individual incidents. Effective leaders must understand what research tells us about behaviour, identify their school’s particular needs and establish clear, consistent systems that support pupils and staff.

They must also be able to address complex behaviour, support colleagues and develop a culture of high expectations in which every member of the school community can thrive.

Through NPQLBC, participants develop the specialist knowledge needed to:

  • Establish and sustain high expectations for behaviour

  • Understand what research tells us about enabling good behaviour

  • Identify individual and whole-school behaviour needs

  • Design and implement clear, consistent behaviour systems

  • Support colleagues to manage behaviour effectively

  • Respond appropriately to complex behaviour

  • Create safe, calm and supportive learning environments

  • Promote positive relationships between staff and pupils

  • Support pupil wellbeing and inclusion

  • Make informed, evidence-based leadership decisions

  • Implement sustainable improvements

  • Build a positive school culture and professional ethos

A practical programme designed around your role

NPQLBC brings together expert-led training, online study, practical activities, formative assessment and in-school coaching.

The programme gives participants regular opportunities to apply their learning within their own school, reflect on its impact and develop approaches suited to their particular leadership role and educational context.

Learning explores effective behaviour systems, complex behaviour, implementation, professional development and the creation of a strong school culture and ethos.

Flexible remote delivery for international educators

The programme can be completed fully online, making it accessible to teachers and schools worldwide.

Virtual face-to-face events provide structured opportunities for expert input, practical activities, professional dialogue and collaboration with educators from different international contexts. Online learning is completed flexibly around participants’ teaching commitments.

Participants also benefit from:

  • Expert-led training

  • Access to high-quality, evidence-informed resources

  • Global professional networking

  • Practical activities rooted in their current school role

  • One-to-one in-school coaching

  • A structured Leadership Development Record

  • Opportunities to reflect on and demonstrate professional impact

The NPQ certificate awarded to international participants is identical to the certificate received by participants completing the qualification in England.

In-school performance coaching

Participants complete five hours of performance coaching during the programme.

Coaching helps participants connect their learning to their responsibilities in school. The final coaching activity is an impact review completed before the summative assessment.

This personalised support enables participants to reflect on their leadership practice, evaluate progress and identify how their work is improving behaviour and strengthening culture within their setting.

Assessment

Participants complete formative, practice-led assessment activities throughout the programme. These activities allow them to apply their learning, receive feedback and demonstrate its impact in their school.

The final summative assessment is based on a case-study scenario. Participants are given an eight-day assessment window in which to prepare and submit a written response of no more than 1,500 words.

To pass the qualification, participants must:

  • Engage with at least 90% of the required programme elements

  • Complete the required Leadership Development Record reviews

  • Participate in the virtual face-to-face events

  • Complete the required online practice activities

  • Undertake the formative assessment tasks

  • Engage in in-school performance coaching

  • Submit and pass the final case-study assessment

Benefits for participants

Completing NPQLBC will help participants to:

  • Build the confidence and expertise to lead behaviour and culture effectively

  • Develop and implement evidence-informed behaviour systems

  • Support colleagues in establishing consistent expectations

  • Respond more effectively to complex behaviour

  • Improve pupil wellbeing and inclusion

  • Make informed, evidence-based leadership decisions

  • Lead sustainable improvement within their school

  • Develop a strong international professional network

  • Gain a portable qualification valued by schools in England and internationally

  • Earn 40 Master’s credits that may support progression to further postgraduate study

Benefits for schools

Supporting a teacher to complete NPQLBC can help a school to:

  • Develop leadership talent from within

  • Establish clear and consistent approaches to behaviour

  • Strengthen the school’s culture and ethos

  • Create calm, safe and supportive learning environments

  • Improve staff confidence in managing behaviour

  • Embed evidence-informed approaches to school improvement

  • Support pupil wellbeing, inclusion and engagement

  • Improve staff recruitment, development and retention

  • Create sustainable improvements in teaching, learning and pupil outcomes

Schools and headteachers can also receive updates on participants’ progress through the programme.

Delivery partnership

Educational Success Partners works in partnership with Best Practice Network, a Department for Education-licensed NPQ provider, to make nationally recognised professional qualifications accessible to teachers and leaders in British and international schools worldwide.

Best Practice Network has extensive experience of delivering NPQs and supporting thousands of educators. Together, ESP and Best Practice Network combine high-quality, evidence-informed professional development with flexible remote delivery and a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by international schools.

Programme fee

The programme fee is £1,375, which includes admission, tuition, assessment and the final award of the NPQLBC upon successful completion.

 Self-funding candidates will be subject to 20% UK VAT.

Apply for the autumn 2026/27 cohort

Applications for the autumn 2026/27 cohort must be received by 23:59 UK time on 25 October 2026.

Prospective participants should discuss the programme with their Headteacher, Principal or professional development lead before applying.

Consider your professional goals, the responsibilities you would like to develop and how your participation will benefit your school and its pupils.

For more information about NPQLBC or to apply email Mark Bignell on mark@espeducation.co.uk.