NPQH

The next recruitment round will open on

21 November and close at noon on 16 December

Information Sessions now available

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is a mandatory qualification for those applying for headship in the maintained sector. The qualification has been recently re-designed to reflect the changing role of headship and school leadership.

For further information please click on the following links that will take you to the NCSL website

NCSL Website

Frequently asked questions

Who is NPQH for

The re-designed NPQH is for those who aspire to headship as a trainee headteacher with the expectation that successful applicants will be no more than 12 - 18 months from their first headship post.

There are 5 stages to the re-designed NPQH ensuring that aspiring headteachers are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Pre-entry

Applicants may wish to consider their readiness for headship by looking at the resources on the NCSL website:

'Tomorrow's leaders today'

Where you will find pre-entry resources including on-line activities, diagnostic tools, case studies and background materials.

Entry and Development Process

The next recruitment round will open on 21 November 2008 and close at noon on 16 December 2008 with successful applicants starting the provision in March 2009. The application and eligibility process has two stages. Stage one is the completion of the application form, stage two is an assessment and development event. Those applicants who are successful will attend a two day assessment and development event and engage in a number of self assessment activities. This event will assess applicant's motivation, capability and readiness to progress as a trainee headteacher, with a personalised leadership development plan. With their plan a trainee headteacher will have access to a range of opportunities including national learning materials, placements, coaching, on-line resources and leadership development activities.

Accessing Provision

To support trainee headteachers in meeting their development needs an introductory event will be held after the two-day assessment and development process. This will be an opportunity to progress their personal development record and to establish a link with a coach.

In addition, trainee headteachers can attend the SELT Seminars, Master Classes and Workshops as shown below:

SELT Seminars, Master Classes and Workshops

The following six workshops and master classes have been developed as a result of conversations with new, acting and trainee headteachers and reflect their needs based on leadership in a time of rapid change.

Three of the master classes form a series that will be held throughout the year. Maximum benefit will be gained by participation in all three days but it is perfectly possible to select and attend one or two that reflect your particular needs.

1. Developing Personal Effectiveness

This master class covers: chairing difficult meetings, handling problematic staff, giving difficult feedback, conflict management, strategies for motivating staff and general assertiveness. It has been a popular and highly valued course as it tackles a number of key issues often faced by new/acting/trainee heads.

Date	Venue
11 November 2008 9am - 3.30pm	The Holiday Inn, Guildford, Surrey
6 February 2009 9am - 3.30pm	Kensington Marriott Hotel, London NEW DATE !
6 March 2009 9am - 3.30pm	White Hart Hotel, Salisbury NEW DATE !

2. Creating a Coaching Culture in your school to raise personal effectiveness and enhance school improvement:

This master class enables you to explore the power of coaching in the context of school improvement and to look at different coaching models and techniques. The approach will integrate theory and practice and support the development of a personalised action plan for you in the context of your school.

Date	Venue
4 December 2008 9.00 - 15.30	The Holiday Inn, Guildford, Surrey
10 February 2009 9.00 - 15.30	The Hallam Conference Centre, London (near Regent's Park tube station)

3. Securing Accountability and Motivating Staff:

This day looks at the different forms of accountability and ways of working in the context of ECM. The emphasis will be on the importance of developing staff understanding of accountability issues in respect of their roles and responsibilities and strategies for motivating and holding them to account.

Date	Venue
3 March 2009 9.00 - 15.30	The Holiday Inn, Guildford, Surrey

4. New Models of Leadership and Talent Management

The day will explore new models of leadership and look at how you currently identify, manage and maximise talent through distributed/shared. The day will include the preparation of a draft leadership policy for your school.

Date	Venue
15 January 2009 9.00 - 15.30	Witney Four Pillars Hotel, nr Oxford

5. Who looks after the head? Headteacher well-being

This workshop will explore a range of ideas, techniques and strategies to promote and sustain balance and well-being for trainee, new and existing headteachers.

Date	Venue
Awaiting New Dates

6. Securing a Creative Partnership with your Governing Body and Taking the Sting Out of Accountability

This day is primarily designed for recently appointed headteachers and consists of two practical workshops, one focusing on governance and one that will consider the issue of 'Intelligent Accountability'.

The Governance workshop will enable you to develop an understanding of:

• how to help the Governing Body develop procedures to evaluate its performance;
• the role of governors and their involvement in effective school improvement;
• how to build a constructive relationship with governors and use the accountability framework to raise standards, including the development of effective methods of reporting.

The 'Intelligent Accountability' workshop will help you to:

• explore the concept of accountability and the importance of a shared understanding of the processes within a school;
• develop the skills needed for effective accountability;
• make the difficult decisions when performance fails and their is a need for constructive and critical conversations that change behaviours and lead to more positive outcomes.

Date	Venue
26 February 2009 9.00 - 15.30	Mercure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury

7. Strategic Planning

Date	Venue
21 January 2009 9.00 (for 9.30 start) - 12.30	Kings Hill Conference Centre, West Malling, Kent
30 March 2009 9.00 - 12.30	Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel, Bristol NEW DATE !

8. Finance

Date	Venue
21 January 2009 1.00 - 16.00	Kings Hill Conference Centre, West Malling, Kent
30 March 2009 1.00 - 16.00	Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel, Bristol NEW DATE !

These two workshops (Strategic Planning & Finance) are intended to be complementary. They will offer:

• Strategic and practical approaches to school improvement planning in the context of ECM / The Children's Plan
• An understanding of financial management including budget monitoring and control.

The workshops are designed to support trainee heads (and those new to headship) in informative and practical ways. They will focus on building knowledge, skills and confidence in these key areas. Both facilitators are experienced and highly successful headteachers.

It is possible to attend a single workshop, either morning or afternoon sessions. However, maximum benefit is gained from attendance at both workshops. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Those attending afternoon sessions - lunch will be served at 12.30pm for a 1.15pm start.

9. The Leadership of Behaviour & Anger Management:

Date	Venue
2 March 2009 9.00 - 15.30	Kensington Marriott Hotel, London

The course helps new leaders:

• To understand more about the nature of anger and impulse control
• To consider practical and effective strategies to help pupils manage their anger, including whole school systems, class provision and the running of anger management groups.
• To rehearse crisis strategies when faced with anger including using a solutions focused approach to support staff
• To consider the relevant legal issues and requirements when working with pupils prone to aggression and presenting challenging behaviour.

Governance:

SELT have arranged a coaching session / peer review discussion alongside an input on Governance at Kings Hill on Monday 10th November.

The day will start at 9.00am with the input on Governance being provided between 11.00am and 12.30pm.

Date	Venue
10 November 2008 9.00 - 12.30	Kings Hill Conference Centre, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4GR NEW DATE !

If you would like to attend please contact Barbara Kippen (see below).

Course Facilitators

All our facilitators have significant headship/leadership experience. They work regularly with NCSL, headteachers, schools and public sector leaders. They have extensive experience in supporting new, experienced and trainee heads in all phases/types of education.

Application

To apply for any of the above workshops contact Barbara Kippen at SELT, see link below.

Graduation

At graduation trainee headteachers will present a portfolio of their professional knowledge, understanding and learning for assessment to confirm their readiness for headship.

First Headship

Those who are successful are ready to apply for their first substantive headship.

How to Apply

For further information contact SELT
Frank Clare, NPQH Director
Barbara Kippen, Programme Coordinator