Challenge: Supporting England’s educators to thrive at all levels 

The quality of teaching and leadership is the most important school-based influence on pupil outcomes. England therefore needed a teacher-development system that would support educators to build evidence-informed expertise throughout their careers, from initial training and early-career support through to specialist and senior leadership. 

The ultimate aim of NPQs was to improve pupil outcomes through improved teaching and school leadership, and improved teacher retention and wellbeing. 

Solution: Completing the ‘golden thread’ with evidence-informed learning 

NPQs are a core part of the Department for Education (DfE)’s vision of a ‘golden thread’ of teacher professional development. The ‘golden thread’, which also includes Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and support for teachers at the beginning of their careers (the Early Career Framework) ensures that educators can access high-quality professional development at every stage of their career.   

We worked with the DfE to design and deliver a suite of nine NPQs, in collaboration with a delivery partner network based in every region of England. The courses covered diverse areas from Early Years Leadership to Leading Primary Mathematics, and provided targeted support for education professionals to create positive change at their levels of control. 

The design of our NPQs drew on core principles around learning and teacher development. Teachers learn like everyone else, so the courses combined the best evidence around developing and embedding knowledge. They were modelled around structured, purposeful collaboration, and encouraged professional development to be sustained over time, creating habits that stuck. Teachers engage in professional development that is meaningful, relevant, and applicable, so our courses also focused on immediately recognisable situations. 

Impact: More confident educators reaching greater heights 

In our final end-of-programme review, NPQs received pass rates of 95.7% to 100%, participant satisfaction of 92.8% to 100%, and feedback response rates above the delivery partner average in every cohort. 

Participants reported renewed confidence and motivation, career progression, and feeling better equipped to lead change and apply their learning in their schools and settings. 

“When I joined the course, I had just failed in my fifth attempt to become a Deputy Headteacher. Later, I was appointed as a Deputy Headteacher; I link the success of my appointment to the quality of training I received through the NPQ for Headship.” 

– NPQ for Headship participant 

“Participating in the programme has had a massive impact… I’ve learned so much from listening to others and also having a framework to look at and reflect on what I do.” 

– Naveed Idrees, NPQ for Executive Leadership participant 

“I will be researching further in so many areas. I can honestly say this has been the best continuing professional development of my career.” 

– Claire White, NPQ for Executive Leadership participant