National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are designed to support professional development, helping school leaders and teachers become more effective. All the qualifications are based on frameworks that draw from the very latest evidence, keeping participants up to date with the most current research.

These qualifications are fully funded by the DfE for state and Virtual Schools. Virtual schools play a vital role in ensuring children in care and care leavers have all the tools needed to perform the best they can when in education. Teachers at these school’s act as a champion for these children to bring about improvements and support them with their aspirations.  

Virtual school headteacher (VSH) and NPQ for Executive Leadership participant, Kate Leyshon, explained how the NPQ for Executive Leadership has helped her in her role.

Why did you choose to complete NPQEL?

In September 2021 the VSH duties increased to include strategic oversight for promoting educational outcomes for children with a social worker. The role of the VSH therefore changed to be more executive leadership focussed. It now requires local area strategic change to take place across a range of sectors, and involves working with senior and executive leaders across the local authority. I saw an email that mentioned that scholarship funding was available for VSH to participate on the NPQEL and decided to apply to help me develop my own leadership skills to meet the new role requirements.

Q:How has NPQEL helped you as the headteacher of a Virtual School?

Since starting the NPQEL in Autumn 2022, I have already increased my knowledge in a range of areas including: leading culture and ethos, strategic development of CPD, school improvement and ethical leadership. I have also gained the ‘learn that’ knowledge, and have been able to collaborate with other aspiring executive leaders to reflect upon the application of this learning to the role of the VSH. This has been a benefit for both myself as a VSH to consider how I can be more effective within my own role but also for the other leaders, who have reported how beneficial it has been to have a VSH on the course enabling them to consider how they can incorporate the needs of the most vulnerable children into their own strategic leadership. I have already made great practical strides in my own role as a result of the learning, leading a local area focus on systemic change towards trauma-informed setting and services.

Q: What are your thoughts on the online elements of NPQEL? Canvas, content.

The NPQEL is based within a system called Canvas.  It is easy to access and the content is of high quality, with a mix of media including reading, videos, case studies and tasks. There is also a collaborative space for your learning group to discuss topics.

Q: How have you found the Face-to-Face events?

The face-to-face events have been excellent and were really well led by the facilitators. As the first VSH to take part in the course they did a great job of grasping our role and ensuring that discussion included a Virtual School focus wherever possible. More VSHs joining the courses moving forward will continue the development even more, and I think it is great for the executive leaders of tomorrow to be fully socialised alongside VSH as this will have a long-term positive impact for the future of children.

Q:How have you found the coaching elements of the programme?

You are supported by a coach through both 1:1 and group supervision for each module.  My coach has been excellent and has really helped ensure that I continue to reflect on my own practice and can voice any areas that I may be finding harder to make progress. The coach works in coordination with the Learning Development Record (LDR) and helps me to ensure I can evidence the progress I am making.

Q:What are your top tips for someone starting NPQEL?

If you are a VSH that has been in post for 3 years or more, then I would strongly recommend undertaking this qualification. Access the NPQEL page of Best Practice Network and read the course outline. If you are wishing to proceed, then apply and seek the support of a sponsor in your LA as this is required. You will need to contact Best Practice Network, add the VS equivalent of a URN (VS123) and add this to the application. At the first 1:1 or coaching session, make sure you help the facilitator and other candidates understand our role as this is really helpful in promoting interesting conversation for the rest of the course. As you work through the course material, be open to challenging yourself to considering how you can apply the learning and tasks to our VSH role – it is different to that of an executive headteacher, but I found with a bit of thought it becomes clear. I actually think I have benefitted from having to take the time to think more broadly as part of the learning process so don’t be put off.

Q:Would you advise your colleagues to complete NPQEL?

Yes – VSHs must start to gain executive leadership training for us to be the most effective in our new roles. Get involved, help shape not just your own learning but also support the development of other executive leaders to support us in the future in the important work we do. 

Interested in applying?

If you work at a virtual school and would like to apply to a fully funded NPQ, you can find all 8 of them here.

When submitting an application form, enter ‘VS123’ in the URN space to make it known you are from a virtual school.  

If you would like any more information on our NPQ programmes, get in contact with us:

 Email: enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk

 Tel: +44 (0) 117 920 9200 (8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)