ASCL National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) - Women in Leadership

ASCL is delighted to be working in partnership with The Leading Women’s Alliance and Leadership Live (run by Lawrence Sheriff School) to offer another chance for colleagues to be part of the fully accredited Women’s NPQSL Programme for current and aspiring female senior leaders.

This programme will support and encourage female leaders from all types of school and college to develop the knowledge, leadership qualities and skills to be effective senior leaders, and achieve the NPQSL qualification. We aim to encourage women to develop confidence, resilience, and network with other female leaders within a nurturing and challenging peer-learning programme, led by our partnership team of experienced female senior leaders.


The cost of the NPQSL is £850. This includes all materials, tutorial, online and face-to-face sessions, coaching/mentoring costs and assessment fees.

Fees are non-refundable once enrolment has been confirmed.

This accredited NPQSL programme is open to all women, irrespective of the type of school or college they lead or aspire to lead. The programme offers the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification through rigorous CPDL with an enrichment programme specifically for female leaders.
 
The programme is designed, led, and facilitated by the diverse female role models that aspiring female leaders tell us they need. It draws on a wide network of specialists and serving female leaders. All participants will experience a blended learning programme, including online and face-to-face sessions and access to regional peer hubs. Regional peer hubs meet with their regional mentor outside of the taught programme, to encourage, build confidence and network with each other.
 
The programme includes a 360° diagnostic profile in which peers, line managers and participants evaluate their leadership skills against aspects of successful leadership, including the seven leadership behaviours of the NPQSL Programme: commitment; collaboration; personal drive; resilience; awareness; integrity; respect.
 
Participants will have priority access and reduced rates to any Leading Women’s Alliance events, including Women Prepare for Headship pop-ups and newsletters.
 
This programme aims to address specific issues that women face as aspiring or current leaders.

The programme covers all of the specified curriculum content specified for NPQSL and aims to address specific issues that women face as aspiring or new leaders.

There are six modules, each mapped against the DfE’s NPQ curriculum and assessment areas, but enriched with a focus on women’s leadership. The programme is delivered as follows:
  • Commences with a compulsory webinar on 28 September 2020 followed by five online sessions on 8 October 2020, 5 November 2020, 7 January 2021, 4 February 2021 and 11 March 2021.
  • Two face-to-face sessions in Birmingham on 27 April 2021 and 1 July 2021.
  • A 360° diagnostic assessment. The diagnostic tool is based around the seven NPQ leadership behaviours.
  • A serving female school or college leader who will mentor in your region, and who will facilitate a peer-learning hub enabling participants to support and encourage each other.
  • Regular sessions with your own school-based coach who sponsors your leadership project
  • Three hours of self-study prior to every face-to-face and your peer-learning group sessions.
  • Online learning: access to all course materials, progress trackers, and final assessment information.
  • Opportunities to focus on an in-school development project for an additional minimum two hours a week.
Assessment
You will lead a school or college improvement project across your institution lasting at least two terms, which will focus on reducing variation in pupil progress and attainment and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching. You must submit a written account of the project for assessment.

Related Pages

Professional development

  • Benefits
  • Professional Development
  • CPD

A head start

  • Leadership
  • Career Progression

Setting the standard

  • Leadership
  • Professional Standards
  • NPQ
  • Qualifications