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November 2025 NPQs: How to Apply

*** November 2025 Applications Now Open *** 

We are pleased to offer National Professional Qualifications through Best Practice Network and Teach First. 

There is only one opportunity to begin an NPQ in the 25/26 academic year.

All maintained schools in England are eligible for limited scholarships for:   

  • NPQ for SENCOs, NPQH, and EHCO 

Only the top 50% of maintained schools in England with the highest percentage of pupil premium enrolments and 16-19 educational settings identified as having high disadvantage, are eligible for:   

  • NPQLTD, NPQLT, NPQLBC, NPQLL, NPQLPM, NPQSL, NPQEL and NPQEYL 

For the early years leadership NPQ, highly disadvantaged early years settings will also be eligible. 

For all NPQs, there will also be a self-funded option, with either the participant or their school/ setting paying the cost. Details are included below.  

You can check if your school/ setting is eligible for scholarship funding here. 

*** Apply now for the best chance of securing one of the scholarship funded places available for November 25***   

 Applications submitted do not guarantee a scholarship-funded place. 

Before applying, please speak to your Headteacher or line manager about getting support to do an NPQ. 

We recommend registering using a personal email address, which will reduce the likelihood of DfE, Best Practice Network or Teach First emails being screened out by school anti-malware systems.

Before registering for an NPQ with the DfE, you’ll be asked to create a DfE Identity account or sign in to your account. 

You need a teacher reference number (TRN) to register for an NPQ, even if you’re not a teacher. Learn about TRNs, including how to request one if you do not have one, here. 

If you work in early years or childcare, check if your workplace is registered with Ofsted and get their Ofsted unique reference number (URN) if they have one. 

NPQs with Best Practice Network (BPN)

Application deadline: 24 October 2025 

We continue to offer the NPQs, listed below, in partnership with BPN for the November 2025 cohort. 

To apply, ensure that both Step 1 and Step 2 are fully completed: 

Step 1: DfE Application - click here to complete the DfE part of the NPQ application process.

Step 2: BPN Application - when completing your chosen NPQ application form (using the programme links below), please ensure you nominate 'HISP Teaching School Hub' as your chosen Delivery Partner from the drop-down list. 

NPQS with Teach First (TF)

Application deadline: 10 October 2025

We continue to offer the NPQs, listed below, in partnership with TF for the November 2025 cohort. 

To apply, ensure that both Step 1 and Step 2 are fully completed: 

Step 1: DfE Application - click here to complete the DfE part of the NPQ application process. .

Step 2: TF Application - complete this application form to apply for the following NPQs. When completing Section 3, you will need to demonstrate your readiness to undertake your chosen NPQ programme and explain your motivations for wishing to do so. We appreciate that it can be challenging to pinpoint this within 400 words. We therefore have put together an overview document of the elements that could be included in a strong response.

  • NPQ Leading Literacy (NPQLL) - free to eligible schools only. Self-funded (with either the participant or their school paying the cost): £899  

  • NPQ Leading Primary Mathematics (NPQLPM) - free to eligible schools only.  Self-funded (with either the participant or their school paying the cost): £899 

  • NPQ Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) - free to eligible schools only and highly disadvantaged early years settings. Self-fund (with either the participant or their school paying the cost): £1,090 

6 reasons to do an NPQ with Teach First 

We look forward to working with you on your chosen NPQ programme. In the meantime, if you have any questions please email: npqs@hisptsh.org