With the DfE finally confirming an autumn 2026 cohort of NPQs, we look here at the partially funded specialist NPQs and why they might be worth your investment.

NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture

Who is it for?

Pastoral staff, teachers and middle leaders who have, or want to have, responsibilities for leading on behaviour and supporting pupil wellbeing in your school.

What will you learn?

On this programme, you will learn how to:

• Create a culture of high expectations across your school
• Support the development of a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils
• Assist pupils with complex behavioural needs
• Nurture improvement through evidence-based professional development
• Put new approaches to leading behaviour and culture into practice in your school setting.

Where next?

• Head of Year
• Head of House
• Pastoral Lead
• Further specialism.

Course duration: 12 months
Cost without funding: £899

NPQ in Leading Literacy

Who is it for?

Teachers and middle leaders who have, or want to have responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase.

What will you learn?

On this programme, you will learn how:

• To support staff, of all subject specialisms, to develop pupils’ language and literacy skills
• Pupils develop aspects of literacy, including how effective spoken language supports literacy development at every age, how children learn to become fluent readers and how teachers can support this across every stage
• To support pupils' writing – whether learning to write in primary school, through to writing academically at key stage five
• To support, develop and teach pupils literacy using evidence-informed approaches
• To lead literacy through curriculum, culture and motivation
• Effective literacy education can support your school
• To contribute to effective professional development for literacy, linking it to teaching, the curriculum and assessment across the school.

Where next?

• Subject Lead
• Leadership of Teaching and Learning
• Further study.

Course duration: 12 months
Cost without funding: £899

NPQ in Leading Primary Maths

Who is it for?

Primary teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in mathematics, and have completed a minimum of 1 Year of the DfE's Teaching for Mastery programme, or have secure mastery expertise from another equivalent programme.

What will you learn?

On this programme, you will learn how to:

• Understand what good primary maths teaching practice is and how to implement it
• Embed mastery approaches to teaching maths in your school 
• Lead your school to teach maths effectively, working collaboratively with senior leaders and teachers 
• Develop your ability and capacity to improve the provision of maths across your school 
• Equip staff to plan effective primary maths lessons and stimulate your pupils’ thinking 
• Help colleagues to adapt their maths teaching to meet different needs 
• Align your professional development with wider school improvement priorities.

Where next?

• Subject Lead
• Leadership of Teaching and Learning
• Further study.

Course duration: 12 months
Cost without funding: £899

NPQ in Leading Teaching

Who is it for?

Teachers and middle leaders who have, or want to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage, or phase. Teachers who want to improve their skills and be the best teacher they can.

What will you learn?

On this programme, you will learn how to:

• Explain important ideas about the science of learning
• Understand what good teaching practice is and how to implement it
• Support colleagues to design a broad and coherent curriculum
• Plan effective lessons and stimulate your pupils’ thinking
• Help colleagues adapt their teaching to different needs
• Contribute to the design of school assessment systems
• Align your professional development with wider school improvement priorities.

Where next?

• Head of Department
• Head of subject
• Head of year
• Further specialism.

Course duration: 12 months
Cost without funding: £899

NPQ in Leading Teacher Development

Who is it for?

All staff who have, or want to have, responsibility for leading the development of other teachers in their school. This includes anyone interested in mentoring trainees or early career teachers.

What will you learn?

On this programme, you will learn how to:

• Make sure professional development in your school is focused on a shared responsibility for improving outcomes for all pupils
• Diagnose what teachers know and can do, starting professional development from that point and adapting the approach based on developing their expertise
• Gain an understanding of what teachers have learned by reviewing patterns of performance over a number of assessments
• Develop and lead a team of colleagues who can facilitate a range of professional development approaches
• Contextualise teacher development based on a variation of school, pupils and teacher needs.
• Contribute to a programme of professional development for mentors, trainees and early career teachers.

Where next?

• Leadership of CPD
• Mentor
• Induction tutor.

Course duration: 12 months
Cost without funding: £899

How do I apply?

Applications open via Ambition Institute's website on 8 June.

You also need to register via the DfE's website to confirm funding eligibility – you can do this from 23 June.

Find out more about our NPQs here.