Newsletters

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year!
We hope you had a relaxing seasonal break with family and friends. It has been somewhat of a disruptive start back for many schools due to the adverse weather conditions the region has encountered. We hope staff and pupils have now experienced a smooth and safe return to school.  

Below are key updates regarding NPQ insights and recruitment.

NPQ Recruitment Insights – April 2025 Cohort

We have now received our funded allocations for the delivery of  NPQs to an April 2025 cohort. Again, these are limited and may not meet local demand.

The Department for Education (DfE) has also announced that from the next academic year, NPQ delivery is likely to shift to single annual cohorts with funding details yet to be confirmed. 

NPQ Scholarship Funding

Scholarships are available for the following groups:

• Schools within the top 50% of pupil premium funding.
• All teachers in state schools enrolling in NPQH, NPQ SENCo, or NPQLPM.

For detailed information about scholarships, please visit this link.

NPQs on Offer – April 2025 Cohort

Due to limited allocations, we have taken the decision to run cohorts for the following NPQs:

• NPQH (Headship)
• NPQSL (Senior Leadership)
• NPQ SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordination)
• NPQLT (Leading Teaching)
• NPQLTD (Leading Teacher Development)

Why Complete an NPQ?

• 96% of school leaders with NPQ participants reported improvements in their schools.
• 100% of school leaders agreed that Ambition Institute NPQs strengthened participants' understanding of evidence-informed practices.
• 3 out of 4 participants refined their teaching practice due to their NPQ experience.

(Source: Ambition Institute participant surveys, October 2024)

How to Apply

Visit this link to explore the NPQs on offer and submit an Expression of Interest form. Once completed, you will receive an invitation from Ambition Institute to complete a formal application. 

Note:

• Applications are only approved upon submission of your DfE declaration and proof of employment.
• Places are capped and limited, so early application is encouraged.

Application Approval

To ensure a fair process, applications will be reviewed and prioritised based on:

1. Schools meeting the 50th percentile for pupil premium funding.
2. For NPQ SENCo, preference will be given to current SEND leaders without a relevant qualification.

Please be aware: Approval on the Ambition Portal does not guarantee a place. Confirmation is secured only after successful DfE funding registration.

Important Dates

• Monday, 20th January 2025: Exceed Expression of Interest opens (applications via Ambition Institute can take action).
• Monday, 10th February 2025: DfE registration portal opens (date subject to change).
• Monday, 24th February 2025: Exceed TSHub starts reviewing applications.
• Tuesday, 18th March 2025: Application deadline (11:59 pm).
• Thursday, 27th March 2025: Deadline for accepting places on the Ambition Portal (11:59 pm).
• Week commencing 28th April 2025: NPQ conferences commence.

Self-Funded NPQs

NPQs deliver high-quality professional development that enhances teacher practice and positively impacts pupil outcomes.

• 92% of participants reported feeling better equipped for their role due to completing an Ambition NPQ.

For pricing and further details, please visit this link.

We look forward to supporting you and your staff through this exciting professional journey.

Warm wishes

The Hub Team

Important contacts for support :

npq@exceedcademistrtust.co.uk

ect@excedacademiestrust.co.uk

ab@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk

* Date subject to consultation

** Conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Exceed Teaching School Hub, led by Harden Primary School and Exceed Academies Trust, has a leading role in signposting and delivering teacher development support to all 215 Bradford schools and our partners in other regions wishing to access support from Exceed Teaching School Hub.

The Hub helps to fulfil one of Exceed Academies Trust's ethical goals: to contribute to system-wide improvements in education.

Designated by the Department for Education (DfE) in February 2020, Exceed Teaching School Hub’s core functions support schools and trusts to invest in their workforce to grow, recruit, develop and retain the very best teachers, support staff and leaders. We will achieve this through a place-based approach to signposting and delivering high-quality progressive teacher development programmes that complement the internal support provided by schools and trusts. Our vision acknowledges teacher and leadership development are two of the most important forms of school improvement. We will achieve this by enhancing partnership working with schools, trusts and high-quality providers; improving the communication of opportunities with the workforce; introducing new professional learning opportunities; supporting teachers and leaders to make informed choices when selecting continuous professional development (CPD) and support, and ensuring that no school is left behind.

Find out more about our vision, strategies and priorities here.