NPQ Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

Develop the expertise to lead consistently excellent teaching

The National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching (NPQLT) equips current and aspiring leaders of teaching with the knowledge, skills and confidence to improve classroom practice, strengthen curriculum delivery and support better outcomes for pupils.

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 NPQLT 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 teaching with confidence. Develop colleagues. Improve outcomes for pupils.

NPQLT 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 NPQLT for?

NPQLT is designed for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibility for leading teaching in a:

  • Subject

  • Year group

  • Key stage

  • Phase

  • Curriculum area

It is particularly suitable for subject leaders, phase leaders, curriculum leaders and other teachers who want to develop effective strategies for improving teaching and pupil progress.

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 teaching

Leading teaching involves much more than demonstrating excellent classroom practice.

Effective leaders need to understand how pupils learn, how a high quality curriculum is designed and delivered, and how assessment can support learning without creating unnecessary workload. They must also be able to develop colleagues, implement sustainable improvements and build a professional culture in which both staff and pupils can thrive.

Through NPQLT, participants develop the specialist knowledge needed to:

  • Establish and sustain high expectations for teaching and learning

  • Support colleagues to plan effective lessons

  • Strengthen subject and curriculum delivery

  • Understand how pupils learn and apply this knowledge to practice

  • Promote effective and inclusive classroom practice

  • Support adaptive teaching that responds to pupils’ needs

  • Use assessment purposefully and avoid common assessment pitfalls

  • Improve teaching without creating unnecessary workload

  • Plan and implement sustainable improvements

  • Lead effective professional development

  • Contribute to a positive school culture and professional ethos

A practical programme designed around your teaching role

NPQLT 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.

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.

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 NPQLT will help participants to:

  • Build the confidence and expertise to lead teaching effectively

  • Make informed, evidence-based leadership decisions

  • Improve curriculum, classroom practice and assessment

  • Support colleagues’ professional learning

  • 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 NPQLT can help a school to:

  • Develop leadership talent from within

  • Strengthen the quality and consistency of teaching

  • Build capacity for curriculum and subject leadership

  • Embed evidence-informed approaches to school improvement

  • Improve professional development for teaching staff

  • Support staff recruitment, development and retention

  • Create sustainable improvements in pupil learning and progress

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 NPQLT 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 NPQLT or to apply email Mark Bignell on mark@espeducation.co.uk.