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NPQ Application Form

Welcome to our NPQ Programmes application form. You are applying to Aldridge Education, one of Teach First's Delivery Partners for this exciting suite of qualifications. Our NPQ programmes help talented teachers become inspiring leaders at every level.

Limited fully funded places are available for the November 2025 cohorts. Funding is allocated nationally on a first-come basis - apply early to secure your DfE-funded place. 

The Commitment

Before starting your application, please ensure your line manager and headteacher are aware of your intention to apply.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a programme agreement outlining expectations. Both you and your headteacher will need to sign this before starting the NPQ.

 

Online resources - All high-quality resources are provided digitally, allowing you to access knowledge and tools to reflect on your leadership development. Each stage involves around ten hours of flexible online learning.

Live training sessions - Join leadership experts and fellow participants for online and in-person seminars. Sessions focus on your context, deepen understanding, and support reflection on your own and your pupils’ progress.

Moving schools - If you change school or employer during the programme, your eligibility to complete may be affected - please check our eligibility criteria.

Please confirm you have read and understood this information when completing the application form below.

Application criteria and process

Please note that:
Teacher Status Checks may be conducted with the Teaching Regulation Agency to ensure that no prohibited teachers are accepted onto the programme. If we are made aware that you are prohibited from the teaching profession, we reserve the right to withdraw your place from the NPQ programmes.

Data Protection - Fair Collection Notice

The information you have provided will be used to contact you in relation to the specific Teach First programme(s) or initiates you have applied for, including any next steps required for your application and any relevant updates. Our main contact method is email but we may also contact you via phone, post, SMS or push notifications. By completing this form, you agree to be contacted for this purpose.

For more information on how we handle your personal information, please see our Data Protection Policy.

Opportunity - Access To Teach First's 1:1 Support

Some applicants may be eligible for free 1:1 development coaching from an experienced school leader (a development lead). You’ll receive up to five one-hour calls per year alongside your NPQ.

Eligibility depends on your school’s context, and we’ll confirm your place prior to the start of the programme.

If you’d like to be considered, please tick the relevant box in the application form. 

Before You Begin the Application

- Allow around 30 minutes to complete this form in full.

- You’ll need your Teacher Reference Number (TRN), school URN, and line manager details ready.

- Funding is limited, so submit early to maximise your chance of a DfE-funded place.

(All fields marked with * are required.)

 The Application Form

Please complete all fields marked with a *

If you already have a TRN, please include it here. If you need help finding your TRN, use this website: Find a TRN. If you do not have a TRN, please put no TRN in the box and we will advise you on how to apply for one

If you hold QTS, please enter the subject or phase listed on your certificate. If you do not hold QTS, write

If you are school-based: enter your school name. If you are not school-based: enter your employer or organisation name instead.

School URNs can be found on the DfE Get Information About Schools service. If you are not school-based: enter your employer or organisation name instead.

The NPQ programme Selection Team will assess your application based on your responses to the questions below. Please take your time to consider your responses, give enough detail in your responses to fully answer the question, and check your spelling and grammar before submitting. We will look at your understanding of the NPQ programme and how it will impact your practice in school and with your pupils.

Within your answer please consider: Your understanding of the structure of the programme.; how taking part in the programme will impact on your development and progress; the impact that you would hope to have with this training.(400 words max)

Within your answer please consider: how this example demonstrates your readiness to take the next step in school leadership; and what skills you will focus on developing (400 words max).

• Teaching and Learning (including curriculum and assessment) • Developing Others • Behaviour and SEND • School and Trust Culture • Organisational management and leadership (400 words max)

Individual requirements can include but are not limited to: Sensory, mobility and health conditions. Neurodiversity, including Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Epilepsy and other hidden disabilities. Faith, including prayer room access or if you are unavailable at specific days or times due to religious observances. Please only use this box to outline individual requirements which could potentially impact allowing you to perform to the best of your ability and we can organise reasonable adjustments where necessary.

To be considered for your NPQ programme choice you will need to secure agreement from your headteacher/line manager (if not working in a school-based role).  This is to ensure your school / employer supports you in pursuing the NPQ, and you are able to ensure you can meet the required commitment to achieve the NPQ.  Your place on the programme is secured once your headteacher / line manager has co-signed the agreement, this will be sent to you if your application is successful.  The agreement must be signed and returned prior to starting your NPQ.  If you are currently a headteacher or due to start a headship position, please indicate 'yes - authorisation granted'.

Please note, fully funded places are only available to schools on the DfE funded list (top 50% in the country for PP). There is also a cap nationally on funded places, so you are not guaranteed funding by filling in this application. We will be in touch regarding the allocation of funds - please be prepared to look into alternative funding should a DfE funded place not be available. Important: DfE-funded places are limited nationwide. Applications are processed in order of receipt, and submitting early gives you the best chance of securing funding for your chosen NPQ.

Please provide the name of the person who is authorising your application. If you are school-based, this should normally be your Headteacher. If you are not school-based, please enter your line manager or equivalent senior leader.

 

 

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