NPQ FAQs

NPQ programmes begin at two points in the year (November and February). Please email Helen Main at Unity Teaching School Hub (hmain@unitysp.co.uk) to enquire.  Our advice is to begin your registration and application early so that you are ready in good time.  See Register & Apply for details.

While it is not a requirement that participants have QTS status, providers will assess candidates' suitability for NPQ qualifications, bearing in mind that content frameworks contain sections on teaching and learning. This would need to be considered in line with the context of the individual circumstances.  Participants must have a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) in order to register for an NPQ programme but the DfE will support with applying for a TRN during registration if the candidate doesn't yet have one. 

How NPQs are funded has recently changed - please see our summary page or the DfE webpage for up-to-date information. 

Please see the DfE webpage for up-to-date information.

The benefits to your school far outweigh the associated costs: see our summary. 

Study can last between 12 and 18 months, depending on your chosen NPQ. The course structure is determined by each lead provider (e.g. TDT or NiOT and delivered by a local delivery partner (e.g. Unity Teaching School Hub).  

The great majority of study happens flexibly around work, with online learning, online discussion and locally-run webinars.  The online learning is complemented by face-to-face sessions so you can spend some time working together with your peers. 

Here's an idea of time commitment from you (please check each NPQ course description on the leader provider's website for updates).

 

Course Name	Course Length	Study Time
NPQ LTD	12 months	40hrs online study; three 4-hour in-person sessions; three 1.5hr national seminars; six 1.5hr local seminars; three 1.5hr case studies
NPQ LBC	12 months	40hrs online study; three 4-hour in-person sessions; three 1.5hr national seminars; six 1.5hr local seminars; three 1.5hr case studies
NPQ LL	12 months	40hrs online study; three 4-hour in-person sessions; three 1.5hr national seminars; six 1.5hr local seminars; three 1.5hr case studies
NPQ LT	12 months	40hrs online study; three 4-hour in-person sessions; three 1.5hr national seminars; six 1.5hr local seminars; three 1.5hr case studies
NPQ SL	18 months	60hrs online study; four 4hr in-person sessions; four 1.5hr national seminars; nine 1.5hr local seminars; four 1.5hr case studies
NPQ H	18 months	60hrs online study; four 4hr in-person sessions; four 1.5hr national seminars; nine 1.5hr local seminars; four 1.5hr case studies
NPQ EYL	18 months	60hrs online study; four 4hr in-person sessions; four 1.5hr national seminars; nine 1.5hr local seminars; four 1.5hr case studies
EPQ EL	18 months	60hrs online study; one 2-day residential; three 4hr in-person sessions; nine 1.5hr local seminars; four 1.5hr national seminars; four 1.5hr case studies

 

Teachers receive a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) when they qualify for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Participants must have a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) in order to register for an NPQ programme but the DfE will support with this during registration if the candidate doesn't yet have one.   Click 'I don't have a TRN' when prompted and follow the instructions. 

If you do have one, but don't know what it is: 

• Check your QTS certificate
• Check your payslip
• Check your teachers' pension documentation
• Check your GTC card (former organisation General Teaching Council)
• Contact your employer, HR department or Payroll Department
• Continue with the DfE registration for NPQs - click 'No, I don't know my TRN' and follow the instructions.

As long as you and your setting meet the eligibility criteria, yes you can, however, if you withdrew from or failed an NPQ, you will not be eligible for further funding for this NPQ.

The new suite of NPQs is designed to provide training and support for teachers and leaders at all levels, and through the entirety of a teacher's career.  Therefore, teachers are permitted to take more than one NPQ for example, to support their career progression or if changing leadership role at the same level. We would expect teachers to have successfully completed their first  NPQ before undertaking a further NPQ.   If you withdrew from, or failed, the NPQ you wish to redo, you will not be eligible for funding for this NPQ.

Our Lead Providers & NPQs

Unity Teaching School Hub will be delivering the full suite of National Professional Qualifications in partnership with our Lead Providers, Ambition Institute and National Institute of Teaching. 

 

What is the relationship between the Lead Provider (TDT), the DfE and the Delivery Partner (Unity Teaching School Hub)?

 

The DfE

The DfE creates the framework, appoints the Lead Providers and is responsible for quality assurance of the providers and their monitoring and evaluation,

 

The Lead Provider

The Lead Provider ( Teacher Development Trust) builds on the DfE frameworks and designs each programme of study and its method of delivery and is responsible for assessment. 

Lead Providers have been selected by the DfE to create programmes in line with the DfE's NPQ frameworks, although not every provider will necessarily offer every NPQ.   Lead Providers have been chosen by a fair and open procurement process by the Department for Education. Delivery partners, including teaching school hubs, work with lead providers to deliver the training.  

NPQ providers are subject to a quality assurance mechanism through Ofsted inspection to ensure the best support for schools and teachers.

The Lead Provider works with local experts, including Teaching School Hubs to deliver each programme of study locally. 

 

The Delivery Partner

The delivery partner ( Unity Teaching School Hub) is the local expert that delivers the DfE and Lead Provider's programmes to teachers and leaders undertaking the NPQ(s). 

Unity Teaching School Hub is one of 87 Teaching School Hubs that are school-led centres of excellence in professional development run by the country’s best schools and trusts. Each Hub serves a designated area of the country, ensuring every school has easy access to support. The Hubs offer high-quality, evidence-based training, and will work with Lead Providers to deliver the NPQs.

Unity Teaching School Hub's team of local experts are passionate about professional learning and have a strong understanding of locality contexts.  Unity Teaching School Hub benefits from being part of Unity Schools Partnership and Unity Research School.

 

To ensure our participants get the most from their NPQ and that they are supported for the duration of their course, we require them to name an NPQ course sponsor on their application.

An NPQ course sponsor should be the applicant’s direct line manager, usually their head of school or another member of the senior leadership team.   

If you are a Sponsor and wish to know more, click here.