The application round for NPQH intake 3 has closed. The next application round will open on Friday 27 February.
Please remember that from 1 April 2009, all first time headteachers in the maintained sector in England must be NPQH graduates.
For guidance on the application process please click on the links below. These documents relate to intake 3 (now closed) but will be updated shortly for the next intake.
(186kb, 20 pages) (107kb, 11 pages)1. Look at the resources provided to help you prepare
Use the resources available on this website to help you decide if you are ready to apply for NPQH. Read through the guidance for applicants document (126kb, 20 pages) to fully understand the detail that you will be expected to provide in the application form.
2. Set time aside
You will need to provide a substantial amount of evidence about your readiness for headship. The application form is also a key part of the self-assessment and development planning process for NPQH. As a result, the process requires a significant time commitment. We would encourage you to set aside at least two days to think about, discuss and complete the application form.
3. Talk to your supporter
You should discuss your application and the supporting statement with your headteacher or line manager. It is important that the dialogue is open and honest. The supporting statement form should not be treated as a confidential reference. You should ensure that your headteacher or line manager is aware of the application process and that he or she should expect an email from NCSL, to which the supporting statement will be attached.
4. Identify recent, appropriate examples of your experience and expertise
Think about your achievements, strengths and areas for development. Review feedback you have received and evidence from your ongoing performance management. You may draw on the same experience to provide examples for more than one section, but you will need to take care to show how it is relevant in each case. Given the rapidly changing nature of schools and the wider educational context over recent times, where possible your evidence should be from within the last three years. However, you will not be penalised for using older examples, provided you make it clear why the example is relevant.
5. Think about the context of any activity
When you describe your examples, please ensure you (briefly) include any relevant contextual information regarding the activity or your role which will aid the assessor’s understanding of your experiences.
If you do not work in a school or do not have a teaching background, you should try to provide examples that are transferable to the school context. You need to demonstrate that you have appropriate and sufficient experience and expertise to be ready for headship within 18 months. Your responses should include contextual information which will enable the assessor to understand your background and how your career experiences have prepared you for school leadership.
6. Have your personal information to hand
When you begin the application you should have the following information to hand:
7. Enter your supporter’s details as soon as possible
Nominate your supporter(s) as soon as possible once you have started your online application. This ensures your supporter is given the maximum time possible to complete the form before the deadline. Make sure you give an accurate email address for your supporter, as we will use this to send them the supporting statement.
8. Draft your responses offline
Our system does not allow you to spell check your answers or count the number of characters. You may therefore find it helpful to draft your answers before you complete the form, and then copy and paste them into the online system when you are happy with them. All the questions from the application form are included in the guidance for applicants document to help you with this process.
9. Complete your application in stages
If you write notes or draft responses in the online answer boxes you can go back later and change them. You can do this as many times as you like before submitting the form (up until the closing deadline). You may therefore find it helpful to complete the form in stages, giving you time to consider your responses as you go along. You can also print off a copy of your application at any point, in pdf format, if you find it helpful to review your answers on paper.
10. Take note of character limits
In each section, character limits are given. These limits include spaces. You will not be able to continue writing once this limit has been reached. In the guidance for applicants document, we have included some guidance on the approximate number of words that the character limits equate to. Please note that the character limit is an upper limit and you will not be penalised if your answer is shorter, provided there is sufficient evidence to fulfil the assessment criteria.