Preparing for your NPQ Assessment

Preparing for Assessment

If you are approaching your NPQ assessment, you may be feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. The good news is that you’ve been preparing for this moment throughout your course. Here are some structured tips to help you approach the 8-day assessment window with confidence:

1. Understand the assessment format

The assessment is not a traditional essay; it’s an applied leadership case study. You’ll be given a fictional school scenario (not phase specific) and asked to design a plan of action that shows:

• Your ability to diagnose the issue using research and evidence.
• How you would implement and sustain change in your context.
• The likely impact on pupils, staff, and the wider school community.

Your response will be assessed holistically, not in separate sections, so clarity, coherence, and rationale are essential. Every decision you propose should be justified using both the case study evidence (for example, Ofsted extracts, pupil data, or staff survey comments) and the frameworks you have studied.

Familiarise yourself with the assessment guidance and the 1,500-word limit early - this will save you valuable time later. Remember too that plagiarism checks are in place, so while you can use NPQ materials, your response must always be your own original work.

2. Plan Your Structure

A clear structure will make the writing process smoother and your argument stronger. A useful way to frame your response is around these four headings:

• Identify the problem(s): What’s the key issue in the scenario? There may be several but focus on one or two that you can explore in depth. Use the case study evidence to justify your choice.
• Identify the solution(s): What approaches or strategies could address the problem? Again, link back to the case study to explain why these are appropriate here.
• Set out a rationale for the solution(s) proposed: Which research, frameworks, or professional experience support your choices? (And remember, this is an open-book assessment, so you can refer to your NPQ materials!)
• Detail how implementation should be approached and why: Think about the EEF implementation cycle: Explore, Prepare, Deliver, Sustain and explain how you would work through each stage for the given context.

Using these headings will help keep your writing focused and make it easier for the assessor to follow your reasoning. 

3. Use your NPQ learning

The assessment is not about inventing something brand new. It’s about showing how you can take what you’ve learnt and apply it to a realistic school scenario. Draw directly on:

• Key readings and frameworks from your modules on Brightspace (for example, EEF Implementation Guidance, Rosenshine’s Principles, Sutton Trust, or Dylan Wiliam on formative assessment).
• Seminar notes and discussions.
• Examples from your own school and leadership practice.

Make these links explicit, this demonstrates the evidence informed leadership approach at the heart of the NPQs. 

4. Manage your time (the 8-day window)

The assessment window is short but manageable if you pace yourself:

• Days 1 - 2: Read and Plan
  Read the case study more than once. Highlight key challenges and draft a simple outline with headings and bullet points.
• Days 3 - 4: Draft
  Write one or two sections per day, focusing on clarity and evidence. Don’t worry too much about word count yet, just get your ideas down.
• Days 5 - 6: Refine
  Check the flow between sections. Make sure each point is supported by case study evidence and NPQ frameworks.
• Days 7 - 8: Edit and Submit
  Trim to fit the word count, polish your wording, and double-check that you’ve answered the brief directly. Then, take a deep breath and submit with confidence.

5. Use your support network

Talk your ideas through with peers on your NPQ or colleagues at school, often, saying things aloud sharpens your thinking.

Take advantage of the full range of support available:

• The assessment module on Brightspace which contains the mark scheme, key policies and FAQs.
• The ‘Writing your response’ guidance from Teach First - The drop in seminar and video walkthrough by the Growing Together team at Aldridge Education.
• Your notes from conference assessment preparation session and the mock case study.

If you need support locating these materials, contact the Growing Together inbox GrowingTogether@aldridgeeducation.org and we are happy to help.

And remember you’re more prepared than you think. The assessment is your chance to showcase everything you’ve been working towards.