NPQ Key Documents and FAQ

NPQ programmes with the National Institute of Teaching | FAQs

What is the time commitment?

There are two or three scheduled events every half term, some online and some in-person and around six to eight hours of self study.

I have already completed a legacy NPQ; would it be useful for me to undertake one of the new NPQs?

Definitely! The curriculum of the reformed NPQ programmes is significantly different from the legacy NPQs, drawing on the most recent research to explore ongoing persistent challenges that teachers and leaders face in schools. Far from a replacement for the NPQ Middle Leadership (NPQML), the new specialist NPQs aim to equip teachers and leaders with knowledge and expertise that will directly align with the issues they face in their setting.

How do I decide which NPQ programme is right for me?

We have shared suitability details on each NPQ page of our website, but if you get in touch with us at NPQ@dret.co.uk , we can discuss the programme that might be best for you.

What does the assessment look like?

Participants will need to complete the programme and achieve a pass mark in a written, ‘open book’ style, structured assessment of up to 1,500 words for the specialist NPQs and 2,000 words for leadership NPQs.

The assessment itself takes place over an eight-day window. There are two assessment windows per year and participants have two opportunities to take part.

NPQ programmes with Ambition Institute | FAQs

What is the time commitment?

For all programmes the commitment for a participant is 50 minutes per week. Each weekly module is 50 mins and accessed on an online platform called StepLab. The insight modules are completed independently, and can be accessed whenever you wish during the week. The application modules are completed with a ‘buddy’ you will paired up with at the start of the programme and you will spend those 50 mins (max) together either virtually or in person completing the module together.

How many days will I be required to be out of school?

NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC NPQLL: The only time out of school will be 1 day for the Launch conference. Clinics run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (3.30-5.30pm) to minimise the impact on pupils. Community groups run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (4.00-5.00pm). The full programme is 12 months.

NPQSL: 2 days out of school, the Launch conference and a mid-point conference. Clinics run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (3.30-5.30pm) to minimise the impact on pupils. Community groups run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (4.00-5.00pm). The full programme is 18 months.

NPQH: 2 days out of school, the Launch conference and a mid-point conference. Clinics run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (3.30-5.30pm) to minimise the impact on pupils. Community groups run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (4.00-5.00pm). The full programme is 18 months.

NPQEYL: 2 days out of school, the Launch conference and a mid-point conference. Clinics run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (3.30-5.30pm) to minimise the impact on pupils. Community groups run once a half term, inside the working day but outside of teaching time (4.00-5.00pm). The full programme is 18 months.

What does the assessment look like?

The assessment is a case study of 2000 words, which you read, and then have 7 days to respond to in no more than 1500 words. The clinics that you will attend every 6 weeks takes you though problem solving/scenario based approaches to persistent challenges, so this is great preparation for the assessment. There will also be an assessment clinic at the end of the programme which will also prepare you for your 1500 word response. In addition to the assessment, you must also engage with at least 90% of the course content/clinics/conferences to pass the programme.

Assessment guidance for participants

How will I know when new content is released on Steplab for the programme?

Steplab will periodically send emails at the start of each course but it helps to form a healthy habit of setting aside a regular time to complete your modules each week.

What is the criteria for the final assessment?

To access the assessment, participants must engage with at least 90% of the programme content.

I am unable to attend a clinic or community session; what should I do?

We would advise that wherever possible, participants prioritise their attendance of all components of the programme to ensure that they experience it in its entirety; school leaders have endorsed your place on the programme and will be keen to support you in its completion. If, in the rare instance that you are unable to attend a clinic, please contact us at NPQ@dret.co.uk to let us know and we will mark your attendance as absent and this will release catch-up materials to be issued via Steplab within seven working days. Please note, community sessions are discussion based and so catch-up materials are not available for these sessions.

I am struggling to meet with my buddy and this is holding me up when completing the ‘apply’ modules. What should I do?

Ideally, apply modules are completed with your buddy, but you can complete them alone in the rare event that you cannot meet up. If you and your buddy are struggling to find a mutually convenient time to meet, please do contact us as soon as possible so we can reassign you to another buddy group based on your availability.

The assessment deadline is nearing and I do not think I will be able to complete the content in time to meet the criteria. What options do I have?

Participants can complete the assessment in one of two assessment windows, so the next assessment window with the following cohort will be available to you, should you not be in a position to complete the assessment with your cohort. You will need to contact us ahead of the assessment deadline to arrange this.

My circumstances have changed and I am unable to complete the programme and would like to discuss my options.

We understand that some participants may need to explore deferring their studies to a later cohort; we are able to support deferrals where participants return within twelve months of their deferral. We would recommend that you discuss this with your line manager in the first instance, and then contact us at NPQ@dret.co.uk so that we can support you with the next steps.

NPQ Key Documents and FAQ

NPQ Key Documents and FAQ

NPQ programmes with the National Institute of Teaching | FAQs

NPQ programmes with Ambition Institute | FAQs

2022 Ambition Institute cohorts key dates

2023 Ambition Institute cohorts key dates

Key Documents