Course overview

The National Professional Qualifications follow England’s Department for Education NPQ frameworks.

> Length: 18 months.
> Programmes start: November 2026
> Qualification: Sector recognised qualification.
> Curriculum: Carefully sequenced and evidence informed.

You can find out more about each NPQ here:

These NPQs are designed so you can engage in live online, facilitated sessions alongside modules you can complete at any time.

Content is delivered through blended learning. This includes a mix of real-time, interactive online sessions and self-guided modules you complete in your own time.

The programme includes facilitator-led sessions with your peer group that focus on sense making, with all content delivered in English.

What you'll learn on the NPQSL

Our NPQ in Senior Leadership course follows England's Department for Education’s National Professional Qualification: Senior Leadership.

You will learn how to:

Set clear goals and communicate shared values that improve the culture in your classrooms and school
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
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 colleagues know their responsibilities.

Note: programme content is subject to change.

What you'll learn on the NPQH

Our NPQ for Headship course follows England's Department for Education’s National Professional Qualification: Headship.

On this programme, you will learn how to:

set clear goals and communicate shared values that improve classroom and school culture
lead effective implementation in educational settings
lead effective professional development to improve practice and outcomes 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

Our International NPQSL and NPQH are designed so you can engage in live, facilitated sessions alongside modules you can complete at any time.

Each includes

Two online conferences (6hrs each).
Nine courses (each course lasts six weeks ).
Each course includes six modules.
Six two-hour clinics (facilitated sessions).
One two-hour assessment clinic.
Five communities (1hr15mins group sessions).

The content is delivered through blended learning with a mix of real-time, interactive online sessions and self-guided modules you complete in your own time.

The programmes includes facilitator-led sessions with your peer group that focus on decision making. The programmes each start with an online, live conference.

Note: programme content is subject to change.

Why train with Ambition?

Choose one of our NPQs and you’ll be joining over 40,000 teachers and school leaders (as of May 2026), who have decided on an Ambition NPQ since they launched in 2021.

Two NPQs
We're welcoming interest in two of our NPQ programmes, the NPQ for Senior Leadership and the NPQ for Headship, to those working in schools in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Each NPQ follows England’s Department for Education National Professional Qualification frameworks.

Evidence informed curriculum
Each of our NPQ programmes are carefully sequenced using the latest research. You’ll benefit from evidence-informed professional development designed around the key problems you face.

Train to your timetable
Our ‘little and often’ approach means you can engage with our NPQs around your busy timetable, with minimal time needed out of school.

Flexible delivery
The NPQSL and NPQH have been tailored so you can access without needing to attend in-person events. Instead, you’ll access the curriculum through a mix of on-demand content and online live sessions.

No large project
You’ll sit an ‘open book’ assessment with support via a dedicated, live assessment preparation clinic to help you get the most from your NPQ.

Join our charitable mission
We support teachers and school leaders at every stage of their careers, helping them to keep getting better. We are a charity providing training and professional development based on the most rigorous research and evidence about what really works.

Any profits generated from international NPQs will be dedicated to Ambition’s charitable mission

Who are the NPQs for?

To register for one of our International NPQs, you must be a current or aspring school leader working in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands.

NPQs are not suitable for active Early Career Teachers.

If you have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Work in a school outside of the United Kingdom?

If you work in a school outside of the United Kingdom and are interest in one of our NPQs, please completed an enquiry here.

A member of the team will then get back to.

How much do they cost?

We're welcoming interest in two of our NPQ programmes. For teachers and school leaders working in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, the cost of these NPQs are:

NPQ for Headship – From £2,049
NPQ for Senior Leadership – From £1,196

*Price may change depending on delivery model.

How am I assessed?

You’ll sit an ‘open book’ style assessment in which you respond to a short case study.

The assessment window starts at the end of the programme and runs for up to four months (subject to change by the DfE). During this time, you’ll be given an eight-day window to complete the case study.

You can sit the assessment twice, if you need to.

You need to complete 90% of the programme and pass the assessment to gain the qualification

We will offer a live clinic in advance of the assessment window to support you.

How to apply

Applications are now closed. Enquire now to hear more about future cohorts.

If you have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Work in a school outside of the United Kingdom?

If you work in a school outside of the United Kingdom and are interest in one of our NPQs, please completed an enquiry here.

A member of the team will then get back to.