NPQ EHCO - Early Headship Coaching Offer

Apply Now (with National Institute of Teaching)

Register Interest (with National Institute of Teaching)

The aim of the NPQ - EHCO Early Headship Coaching Offer (NPQ EHCO) is to provide structured, unassessed face-to-face support based on the best available evidence about what makes an effective head teacher.

The support offer is available to those in their first 5 years of headship, who have EITHER completed the new/reformed NPQH before becoming a head OR are currently taking the existing NPQH. The EHCO will be a targeted package of support aimed at new headteachers, and based on the content of the new NPQH, which has been reformed to ensure it is underpinned by the latest and best evidence. Those teachers who are currently taking the existing NPQH will also be eligible for the NPQ EHCO (if they are in their first 5 years of headship).

While one main focus of the new NPQ EHCO is on helping participants to ‘think like leaders’, the NPQ EHCO is intended as a complementary programme that focuses on helping participants to ‘act like leaders’. Therefore, NPQ EHCO is seen as the meaning-making phase of self-reflection, observations, analysis of one’s leadership and development as well as its impact on the school and the school improvement process.

Programme Information

The programme will be focused on the known challenges that new head teachers face - SEND, exclusions, HR, governance, budgeting and school development planning – to provide practical exemplification and guidance. 

In the Spring/Summer each year, a conference will be held for all NPQ EHCO participants in one of the Outstanding schools within our partnership regions. The conference will provide opportunities for network building and to ‘see it, name it and do it’ following the principles which underpin the NPQ programmes. This will include a narrated visit around the host school focusing on specific leadership challenges; nationally renowned keynotes and facilitated workshops to explore and apply the learning in their own contexts.

Blended Learning

The programme is made up of a blend of synchronous and asynchronous components totalling a maximum of 4.5 days plus optional self study. Online and in-person synchronous sessions will be delivered in regional cohorts in order to build networks, with content provided by national experts from within and outside our partnership.

Key Information

• Cost: Free to all eligible participants 
• Scholarship funding available - click here for more information
• Programme length: 12 months
• Start date: October 2022
• Assessment: None