National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

NPQ Programmes

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are professional development courses for teachers and leaders to develop skills, progress careers and improve school outcomes.

NPQ Registration – Express your interest!

Register your interest for Autumn 2026 via the Ambition Institute website by selecting the qualification you are interested in and clicking the ‘Enquire here’ button.

The DfE registration portal will be open for full applications from 23rd June 2026.

Who we work with

FLA are an official Delivery Partner for the following national Lead Providers:

Ambition Institute
Leading Learning Securing Excellence (LLSE – for international NPQs)

Accreditation and Content Frameworks

NPQs are accredited by Department for Education, more information is available via their web pages.

Specialist qualifications:

Leadership qualifications:

Programme Overview and Structure

How to apply

We are delivering our next cohort (November 2026) with Ambition Institute for the following programmes:

NPQH, NPQSL, NPQSENCO, NPQLT, NPQLBC and NPQLTD.

When the DfE registration window opens on 23rd June 2026, applicants will need to register with:

You will need to know:

Which NPQ you want to complete
The name of your Lead Provider (Ambition Institute) with Forest Learning Alliance as your local Delivery Partner
Your TRN (if you have lost your TRN or need to apply for one, you can do so here.)

Funding for Autumn 2026

DfE have announced scholarship funding criteria for autumn 2026.

NPQH, NPQSL and NPQSENCO are fully-funded for all state schools in England. Please visit for https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-national-professional-qualifications-npqs the most updated information.

Costs (UK, Ambition Programmes)

Qualification	Cost per participant	Duration	For
NPQEL	£4,050	18 months	Executive leaders, leading across two or more settings.
NPQH	£1,949	18 months	New or aspiring headteachers.
NPQSEND	£1,332	18 months	For SENCOs wanting to become expert leaders of SEN and be able to build an inclusive school culture. Replaces the NASENCO qualification as of 1st Sept 2024.
NPQSL	£1,139	18 months	Current or aspiring senior leaders with cross-school responsibilities.
NPQEYL	£1,139	18 months	Leaders of early years education. Inc teachers, EYFS and senior leaders in schools, leaders in nurseries and childminders with leadership responsibilities.
NPQLT	£899	12 months	Current or aspiring middle leaders (phase/KS/subject) and senior leaders looking to become high performing leader of teaching.
NPQLTD	£899	12 months	Those that lead on the professional development of other teachers.
NPQLBC	£899	12 months	Teachers who lead on behaviour and supporting pupil wellbeing.
NPQLPM	£899	12 months	Teachers leading maths in primary schools. *must have attained mastery-level maths to apply.
NPQLL	£899	12 months	Teachers leading or aspiring to lead literacy across any phase.