Membership frequently asked questions

We have provided some answers below to some common questions about National College membership.

If you still have a query about becoming a member of the College or about your current membership, please contact membership@nationalcollege.org.uk, or call our help desk on 0845 609 0009.

Who can become a member of the College?

From 30 January 2012, all individuals working in England who have a professional interest in school and early years leadership will be eligible to register for full membership of the College and access the full range of membership benefits.

This means that professionals such as school governors, local authority staff, educational researchers and academics will have the same access to membership as serving school and early years leaders and their staff. As a consequence, our previous affiliate membership scheme will be discontinued.

From 30 January, leaders based outside England and overseas can subscribe as international members.

What is the cost of membership?

Membership remains free of charge to all professionals with a work address in England. This is aligned with our remit from the Department for Education to develop and support great leaders of schools and early years settings and promote a self-improving system in the English education sector.

Costs to subscribe to international membership are available on our international pages.

Can I become a member if I work in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Eire?

Yes, you can register for international membership. Special subscription rates are available to professionals working elsewhere in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Please contact international@nationalcollege.org.uk for details.

What about British Forces schools overseas?

Leaders working in British Forces schools overseas are eligible for free membership.

Please contact international@nationalcollege.org.uk to obtain a British Forces school discount code. This will need to be quoted as part of membership registration and renewal to ensure that no charge is applied.

I was previously an affiliate member, how do I get full membership?

All of our active affiliate members are being automatically upgraded to full membership from the end of January 2012 and will receive an email from us confirming this.

If you are currently an affiliate member but have not accessed your account for over 12 months, you will need to renew your membership when you next sign in – this takes just a few minutes to confirm your details. You will then be automatically upgraded to full membership, providing your work address remains in England.

All affiliate members based outside England are receiving information about the launch of international membership by email. If this applies to you, you will need to sign in to your account and subscribe to continue enjoying the benefits of membership after the end of January 2012.

Can the College cancel my membership?

The College can cancel the membership of individuals who do not adhere to the membership terms and conditions.

How can I get a reminder of my username and password?

You can get a reminder of your member username and password on our website. Simply complete the fields marked with an asterisk and answer the security question, and the system will confirm your username to you and enable you to reset your password. If you have any difficulties, please contact enquiries@nationalcollege.org.uk or call 0845 609 0009.