Associate College
NPQ for Leading Literacy (NPQLL)
In the Department for Education's (DfE's) March 2022 white paper, it states that:
“Schools will be able to have a trained literacy expert through a new National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy.”
The new National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy is important for primary and secondary schools.
Although the role varies, many phase leaders, key stage leaders, and heads of department (or similar titles) with responsibilities for leading literacy are considered to be part of the middle leadership team.
An excellent literacy leader will have a deep understanding of the fundamental importance of literacy and recognise its influence on students’ future academic achievement, wellbeing, and success in life.
In addition, they will have expertise across several specialist areas related to their role (eg developing students’ spoken language) and a passion for literature that they want to share with the school community.
Literacy leaders also need to understand the school and wider community in which they work, enabling them to share their expertise effectively. They must understand how to prioritise professional development to ensure their colleagues have the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional support to teach reading and writing effectively. They must also work with their colleagues, collectively enabling their school to keep improving. This new qualification will assist with all of these elements.
To find out more about the NPQ in Leading Literacy with the National Institute of Teaching please visit their website:
Who is the NPQ for Leading Literacy for?
- Teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase.
- Anyone who needs to understand how to prioritise professional development to ensure their colleagues have the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional support to teach reading and writing effectively.
What does the programme include?
The key sections of the qualification are as follows:
- Teaching
- Developing Language
- Developing Reading
- Developing writing
- Professional Development
This National Professional Qualification will be a highly practical blended programme. It will allow you to reflect on best practice and to hear from excellent leaders delivering in these areas both locally and nationally.
The qualification will include self-directed study, webinars and face-to-face sessions. It will be assessed through a short case study at the end of the programme.
When does the programme start?
April 2025
Funding
Funding update for April 2025:
It has now been confirmed that funding for this NPQ will be available for those teachers and leaders who work in the most challenging schools or educational settings, serving more disadvantaged communities. Specifically, schools with the highest 50% of pupil premium pupils will be eligible to receive this funding.
There are limited funded spaces available.
If you are not eligible for funding, you (or your school/trust) will need to self-fund your qualification. Prices for the programmes are listed on the NIoT website, and you’ll be invoiced for the full amount when you start your programme.
You can find more information from the DfE on funding arrangements .
How to apply
- Region: West Midlands
- NPQ Campus Preference: 91dsp
- Programme Start Date: April 2025
We have a number of scholarship places available for NPQs, we would however highly recommend applying as soon as possible in order to guarantee your place.
The full range of NPQs are offered with the National Institute of Teaching through centrally based cohorts across the West Midlands, should you wish to apply for any of the other NPQs not being offered by 91dsp please visit their website and apply .
Find out more
To find out more about the NPQ in Leading Literacy with the National Institute of Teaching please visit their website: