--- title: "National Professional Qualification in Headship" description: "Advance your leadership career with the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) from Shaw Education Trust and Ambition Institute. This flexible, 18-month, evidence-based programme is designed for aspiring and current headteachers in Halton, Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral, Chester, Cheshire, Cheshire East, Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent, Herefordshire, Telford, Shropshire, and Wrekin. Gain the skills, confidence, and accreditation to lead your school to success with minimal time out of school and expert peer support." url: "https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-headship" school: "Shaw Education Trust" --- # National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) ![](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/images/logo/ambition-institute/Ambition-logo.png)We are a proud Delivery Partner of the education charity Ambition Institute delivering the NPQ in **Headship.** In 18 months, you will develop the knowledge that underpins expert school leadership and apply it to become an outstanding headteacher. > One of a series of, evidence informed NPQs > Flexible learning to suit your timetable > Combine insight and practice to drive change > Gain an NPQ Headship accreditation **Why this programme?** **Ambition Institute** has designed this **ground-breaking NPQ** to help you put evidence-based school leadership methods into practice and drive change in your school setting. It will also focus on specific headship challenges in your school or trust. Ambitions 'little and often' approach uses the latest research to help you apply your learning to persistent problems. You will train alongside other leaders with similar responsibilities, with content focusing on the key challenges you face in your role. With no project work and minimal time out of school, NPQs are designed to fit around your busy timetable. [![](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/images/images/ioe/npq/IoE_CTA_2.png)](https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=48aZkktFFECRk1vXiMa8-q5GfjllFKtIl1JgKPi83JpUMFQwS1dXWTZITzFWTVRUREs0SzhTQllVTSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl) **NPQH explained in 90 seconds or less** [NPQH in 90s or less](https://www.youtube.com/embed/WqklPj2IifQ) **Benefits for you** **Enjoy flexible learning** This programme is designed to fit around your timetable and most of the work can be completed at times that suit you. **Learn crucial skills and sector knowledge** All the knowledge you’ll learn on this programme is drawn from a single, evidence-based framework shared by other educators across England. **Learning that sticks** Training is delivered little and often, in regular bite-sized chunks, so there are no long days of training that take you away from your day job. Learning in short, sharp bursts also helps you to retain knowledge. **Thrive in your school setting** Develop the knowledge and skills to work to the best of your ability and tackle the complexities and challenges of your daily role. **Drive habit change** Embedding new habits can be tricky. Our dual modules help you to apply what you learn, connecting theory to practice, to help those habits stick. Insight modules capture the very best the sector has to contribute on a given topic. Application modules help you to use the ideas in context, with support from peers. **Benefits for your school or trust** **Create confident school leaders** Headteachers are equipped with school-focused leadership knowledge, which they can use to establish a culture and conditions where staff and pupils can thrive. **Underpinned by the latest evidence** The framework for the NPQ for Headship was developed using the latest evidence on effective professional development for teachers and leaders, approved by the Education Endowment Fund (EFF). **Shared learning** Participants learn alongside colleagues whose context is similar, facilitated by delivery partners who know and understand your needs. **Create a common knowledge base** All our NPQs are aligned, meaning teachers and leaders share a common language and framework to drive improvement in their school. **Transform pupil outcomes** Education Policy Institute research shows that high quality professional development can improve pupil outcomes almost as effectively as having a teacher with 10 years’ experience in the classroom.\* **Curriculum** **What you'll learn** This programme follows the Department for Educations’ National Professional Qualification (NPQ): Headship Framework. **You will learn how to:** > set clear goals and communicate shared values that improve classroom and school culture > transform pupils’ knowledge, capabilities and beliefs about learning > create a fair and structured approach to learning and testing > establish a safe and positive environment for pupils > support colleagues to meet individual needs and make sure all pupils have access to a rich curriculum > lead school-wide professional development for staff > establish good financial, human and educational resource management > make and act on evidence-informed decisions > work well with parents, carers, other schools and the wider community > lead by example, be accountable for decisions and make sure staff know their professional responsibilities. **Note:** *programme content is subject to change.* **How you'll learn** The content is delivered through blended learning. This includes real-time, interactive online sessions, face-to-face conferences and self-guided modules you can fit around your timetable. You will put what you learn into practice in your school and be able to track your progress and get feedback as you go. The programme also includes coaching and peer learning. **Note:** The programme starts with a one day face to face conference at our Head Office in Stoke-on-Trent. **Assessment** The assessment window starts at the end of the 18-month programme and runs for three months. During this time, you will be given an eight-day window to sit an ‘open book’ style assessment in which you respond to a short case study. There are two assessment windows every year, and you can sit the assessment two times, if you need to. You need to complete the course to qualify for the NPQ accreditation. We will offer a webinar and live clinic in advance of the assessment window to support you. **Apply** To apply, you must be or aspire to be a headteacher or head of school with a responsibility for leading a school. **To register your interest**: [National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) \| Shaw Education Trust (shaw-education.org.uk)](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq) ### Related News 11 February 2026 #### [The Benefits of Apprenticeships](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/news/2026-02-11-the-benefits-of-apprenticeships) 11 June 2024 #### [An Enriching Educational Journey](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/news/2024-06-11-an-enriching-educational-journey) 27 March 2024 #### [Cultivating A Positive Environment For Our Colleagues and Students!](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/news/2024-03-27-cultivating-a-positive-environment-for-our-colleagues-and-students) [View All News](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/news/tag/education%252Cnpq) ### Related Blog Posts 12 February 2026 #### [The Positive Impact of Apprenticeships](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/blog/2026-02-12-08-30-the-positive-impact-of-apprenticeships) 11 February 2026 #### [CFO Interview - The Benefits of Apprenticeships](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/blog/2026-02-11-09-30-cfo-interview-the-benefits-of-apprenticeships) 25 May 2024 #### [Ivy House \| Train Library](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/blog/2024-05-25-10-27-00-ivy-house-train-library) [View All Posts](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/blog/index/tag:education%252Cnpq) [ post](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshaw-education.org.uk%2Finstitute-of-education%2Fnational-professional-qualifications-npq%2Fnational-professional-qualification-in-headship) ### Institute of Education - [Meet the IoE Team](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/our-people) - [Begin YOUR Journey](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/begin-your-journey) - [What We Do](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/what-we-do) - [Initial Teacher Training](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/initial-teacher-training) - [National Professional Qualifications](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq) - [NPQ: Early Years Leadership](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-early-years-leadership) - [NPQ: Headship](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-headship) - [NPQ: Leading Behaviour and Culture](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-leading-behaviour-and-culture) - [NPQ: Leading Literacy](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-leading-literacy) - [NPQ: Leading Teaching](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-leading-teaching) - [NPQ: Leading Teacher Development](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-leading-teacher-development) - [NPQ: Senior Leadership](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-in-senior-leadership) - Early Headship Coaching Offer - [NPQ: SENCO](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-for-sencos) - [NPQ: Executive Leadership](https://www.ambition.org.uk/programmes/npqel/) - [NPQ: Leading Primary Maths](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/national-professional-qualifications-npq/national-professional-qualification-for-leading-primary-mathematics) - [NPQ \| FAQ](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/faq) - [Early Career Training Programme (ECTP)](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/early-career-framework-ecf) - [Keele and North Staffordshire Teacher Education (KNSTE)](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/institute-of-education/initial-teacher-training/itt-primary) - [Calendar](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/calendar) ## Follow Us on Social Media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ShawEducationTrust) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@shaweducationtrust) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shaw-education-trust) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shaweducationtrust/) ![Shaw Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/shaw-education-trust-2/images/logo/set-misc/footer-logo-v1.png) ### Contact Us **Shaw Education Trust** Kidsgrove Secondary School Gloucester Road Kidsgrove ST7 4DL VAT: GB 358822467 Tel: 01782 948259 Company Number: 09067175 ### Our Trust - [Welcome](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/welcome) - [Our approach](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/our-approach) - [Our values](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/our-values) - [Our sponsor](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/our-sponsor) - [Our people](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/our-people) - [Our policies](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information) - [Governance](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/governance) - [Freedom of Information](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/data-protection) - [FAQs](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/faqs) - [Data Protection](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/data-protection) The Shaw Education Trust Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales under company number 09067175 whose registered address is Shaw Education Trust Head Office, Kidsgrove Secondary School, Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, ST7 4DL. Shaw Education Trust is an exempt charity. © Copyright 2022–2026 Shaw Education Trust School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)