Benefits of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL

• Participants will undertake a single, integrated programme in which the NPQ learning outcomes and the Apprenticeship knowledge, skills and behaviours have been seamlessly mapped.
• Gain Senior Leader Apprenticeship and NPQSL.
• An opportunity to explore research-informed practice.
• Enjoy applying learning in the workplace through practical projects and case studies.
• Widen your leadership knowledge and skills to include business, governance and financial planning.

Content overview of the Senior Leader programme

Key topics you’ll explore through the lens of the work of a senior leader:

• School / college culture
• Teaching
• Curriculum and assessment
• Behaviour
• Additional and special educational needs and disabilities
• Professional development
• Organisational management
• Implementation
• Working in partnership
• Governance and accountability

Within each module there are opportunities for you to complete formative assessment activities which will enable you and your facilitator to reflect on and evaluate the progress you make whilst completing the qualification.

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is designed for school and college leaders who are, or who are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school/cross-college responsibilities, including recently appointed headteachers.

To be eligible for this programme you will need to:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Be employed for a minimum of 16 hours per week in England
• Provide evidence of a GCSE English and Maths at a Grade 4 (Grade C) or a Level 2 Functional Skills

How will I study?

Throughout the programme, you will engage in a variety of learning activities  These activities form a compulsory element of the programme. You will also apply new knowledge and skills through practical activities and projects, including:-

• independent online learning
• face-to-face workshops and training events
• online webinars and 1:1 coaching and support

As part of the online learning, you will have the opportunity to engage with relevant research and evidence, learn how leaders in other schools carry out their role and participate in discussion forum activities.

In addition, you’ll be asked to complete a series of activities to build a personal online learning journal, record of CPD and a portfolio of evidence.

Throughout your programme, you will be expertly guided with support from your two facilitators, one will be apprenticeship focused and the other NPQ focused. They will work side by side.  Additional support will be by your in-school coach who will work with your apprenticeship facilitator to review your progress on six occasions throughout the programme.

How will you be assessed?

Formative assessment takes place throughout the programme, helping you to understand the progress you are making, and facilitators to adapt your learning experiences.

Whilst studying regular progress reviews will take place with you, your in-school coach and the Apprenticeship facilitator.

If successful you will receive two separate accreditations:-

The Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place over a 2-month period and comprises:

1. Portfolio of evidence that documents your understanding of the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs)
2. Strategic Business Proposal (4,000 words) plus presentation
3. Professional discussion based on your portfolio of evidence.

NPQSL

There are two overall criteria to achieving the qualification:

• Engagement with a minimum of 90% of the course
• Successful completion of the NPQSL Summative Assessment.

The summative assessment takes the form of a 2500-word response to a case study, completed in a single 8-day window at the end of your programme. The assessment will give you the opportunity to demonstrate how you would deploy the knowledge, skills and understanding gained through the NPQ to lead and implement a specific aspect of change.

Further details on NPQSL assessment.

Fully fund the Level 7 programme using your Apprenticeship Levy

This programme can be fully funded using the Apprenticeship Levy.

If your employer does not pay the Apprenticeship Levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and your employer will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee.

Non-levy paying organisations are required to contribute 5% to the cost of the Apprenticeship fee (£700). In these instances,
we will seek support from a levy transfer partner and will aim to alleviate any fees, but we cannot guarantee this outcome.

Additional guidance is provided by LLSE and the DfE to find out the funding opportunities available this autumn.
Funding for national professional qualifications (NPQs) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

When does the course start

The next cohort for the programme starts April 2025.

How to apply

If you would like further information on this course, on behalf of yourself, or a member of staff, please contact us by email: information@esfapprenticeships.co.uk or express your interest in the first instance here.