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Leadership development programmes

Our programmes provide professional development leading to a series of highly regarded certificates and qualifications. We work hard to make sure that our programmes meet the particular needs of schools and school leaders. What’s more, all our programmes include one year’s free membership of the National College.

Our team of world-class trainers, published researchers, leading practitioners and academics is constantly updating and adding to our portfolio of programmes and our prospectus contains up-to-the minute details of our current offer.

What does the National College offer?

Building on our most successful leadership programmes in England, we are developing a series of leadership development programmes suitable for our international audience. These will be available soon.

International Programme for School Principals

For ministries, organisations and networks of schools

The College works with ministries of education and organisations around the world who are seeking sustainable approaches to school leadership development. If you are a ministry or organisation that is interested in partnering with the College to provide our International Programme for School Principals in your country or international setting we would be pleased to hear from you. We require a partnership organisation to provide administrative and logistical support as well as recruitment capacity to ensure a minimum of 24 suitably selected participants in the programme. For more information please contact ipsp@nationalcollege.org.uk.

For individuals

For principals worldwide who want to develop their professional leadership skills based on international best practice, this programme will be made available for a minimum of 24 participants. To register your interest please contact ipsp@nationalcollege.org.uk and we will notify you when the next cohort becomes available.

Download our fact sheet about the International Programme for School Principals.

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

For headteachers and aspiring headteachers in British international schools who are looking for professional development or considering taking up a headship in England. This programme is only available to full cohorts with a minimum of 24 participants, not individual applications. To discuss possible delivery of this programme to your organisation please contact us at international@nationalcollege.org.uk.

Coming soon – International Programme for Aspirant Principals

For school leaders and aspirant principals who want to develop their professional skills, and achieve the next step in the

ir professional career. This programme will be based on international best practice and will be available to individual participants as well as for full cohorts. If you would like to register your interest in this programme early please contact us at international@nationalcollege.org.uk and we will forward you further information as soon as it becomes available.

What are the benefits of National College programmes?

  • Focus on how effective leaders raise standards in schools.
  • Help you to understand the central role played by leadership of teaching and learning in improving outcomes.
  • Give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop effective teams and improve the performance of others.
  • Help you to understand your own personal strengths and identify areas for improvement.

What are the key features of National College programmes?

  • Access to a wide-range of interactive online learning resources and activities.
  • Led by experts and high quality trainers.
  • Internship placement and experience with an outstanding principal in a different school (depending on the programme).
  • One-to-one coaching.
  • Unique access to school leaders in England with opportunities to link with outstanding schools of all types.
  • Effective assessment of yourself as a school leader, using self-assessment and assessment by colleagues and peers.
  • Opportunities to carry out and access educational research.
  • One year’s free membership of the National College.

To maximise the impact of our programmes and minimise time spent away from the classroom, our programmes feature a range of learning styles, including face-to-face training and online study.

For more information about our leadership development programmes, email us at international@nationalcollege.org.uk.