The School-Led Network is proud to announce its appointment as a national provider of the new suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). 

The School-Led Network encompasses Harris Leadership College, North East Teaching Schools Partnership (NETSP) including Newcastle University, ̨��swag Institute of Education and Star Institute. Together, these organisations share a vision of a school-led system with a culture of professional learning within and between schools that drives school improvement and ensures that all pupils can achieve beyond expectations.

Sir Dan Moynihan, Chief Executive of Harris Federation said:

“We formed the School-Led Network because we are motivated by the imperative for schools to have the choice of a genuinely school-led NPQ provider. Our programmes will build on exceptional practice that works to enhance leadership skills and improve outcomes for all young people.”

All programmes will use ‘see it, name it, do it’ as an organisational structure for scaffolding learning to the point of mastery. The model is a highly applied and personalised approach coined by the internationally renowned Leverage Leadership Institute. The approach goes beyond theory to enable leaders to practise and refine their skills using models of exemplary practice and formative assessment alongside experiential learning. 

Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

“Star Academies are hugely looking forward to working together with our partners on the School-Led Network to develop and deliver the new NPQ programmes. We are taking a unique approach to the design, based on the significant impact we’ve seen in our own schools and beyond. 

Our programmes will provide practical, evidence-based leadership development by today’s school leaders, for tomorrow’s school leaders. Our NPQs are designed and delivered by leaders from some of the UK’s most successful schools who exemplify practical excellence in school leadership, teaching, behaviour and teacher development. 

Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive of ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, said:

“Taking time out to attend training is vital for the continued development of teachers and leaders, but the training must be highly applicable and lead to measurable improvement. This suite of programmes will be designed using the expertise we’ve built collectively on what it takes to achieve excellence and will be delivered by leaders who are proving these approaches work every day.”

The consortium is built on proven expertise and experience in designing and delivering professional development for school improvement at national, regional, and local scales in partnership with top-performing multi academy trusts and experienced CPD providers Harris Federation, ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, NETSP and Star Academies. Newcastle University is bringing its expertise in academic research and assessment to provide the assessment service as part of the School-Led Network. 

Professor René Koglbauer, Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice at Newcastle University, said:

“I am excited that we are able to bring our expertise and experience, as well as our commitment to co-creation of knowledge and skills development, to the newly formed national consortium School-led Network. In this new iteration of professional development programmes for school leaders and teachers, Newcastle University in partnership with NETSP will lead nationally on the assessments of these qualifications for the School-led Network.

This was supported by Anita Bath, CEO of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and Chair of NETSP, who said:

“Schools in the North East have a tremendous record of working together to develop and support the very best leaders in education.  We work as true partners for the good of all our schools and so I’m sure this next stage of leadership development will be welcomed and a real success.  We are all absolutely delighted to be part of the NPQ journey with the School-led Network.”

The School-Led Network are interested in working with delivery partners across the country who see an alignment with this proposed approach to the delivery of high leverage leadership development approaches to transform outcomes in schools. 

For more information, visit or email npq@school-led.org.uk