NPQSL - worth it?

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

I’ve been asked if I want to do it - I’m currently on SLT as Key Stage two leader and would like to apply for deputy roles in a year or so. Can’t find anyone that knows much about it. I know heads used to have to have the NPHQ but don’t now. Is it the same with this? Unnecessary? Or would it help me developmentally and also CV wise? Also - is it a ton of work?

[MadameMinimes]

I did it and found it worthwhile. I’m secondary and, whilst I had to wait a few years for the SLT role I wanted to come up in my school, I have ended up in exactly the role I wanted. In my school the people who have done the NPQSL in the last 5 years or so have generally gone on to some form of promotion. Two of us are now AHTs in the same school, some have gone onto SLT roles in other schools and some are part of our extended leadership team and sit in on SLT meetings. It was quite a bit of work in addition to being a HOD, but I enjoyed it and the various projects that I led on before moving into SLT.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Thanks for the reply - that’s a positive for it! I am keen, worried about additional work but think I’ll regret not doing it.

[MadameMinimes]

It is quite a bit of additional work. Especially if you aren’t already in an SLT job when you do it. If you’re already SLT then the project aspect is likely to be something that would already ordinarily be part of your job to lead on. As someone in a non SLT role my project was additional to my usual workload and doing the NPQSL at my school also involved attending SLT meetings most weeks and taking on some additional duties. My friend who did it as an AHT found it less work.

[samlovesdilys]

It's a lot of work but really interesting. I would recommend you make sure you are on a course that requires you to go to face-to-face training - mine was all on line (it was with BPN) and I found it really tricky to keep up with all the different things to do alongside full-time job. A lot of late nights and holiday work (even more than usual!!)
In secondary I think it is more of an expectation for slt maybe... oh and don't pay for it!! There are loads of scholarships and bursaries...

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Thanks samloves- I’ve just signed up to it :) it is an all online one however it is free via scholarship. We’re also in quite a remote area so the nearest face to face is a 2 hour drive. Hoping it’ll be worthwhile and not too horrific alongside my job! I’m on SLT so will have a relevant project at least

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

I did it when not on SMT, and it was quite a lot of work. But it gave me insights I hadn't considered and I found it very interesting. I'm not on the SMT at my school and, while it didn't directly cause that, it did give me the confidence to go for the opportunities when they arose.

[samlovesdilys]

Good luck!! If you have any questions I'm happy to help, i found a little bit often worked better than a big blast!!!

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Thank you! May well take you up on that :)

[Jeffers5]

I didn’t find it much more work. I selected my project carefully, ensuring that it was something that had a whole school academic impact, but something I would have been doing regardless of the NPQSL. The the only additional work was writing it up and the face to face sessions. Some people struggled choosing a project that was more pastoral based.

I really enjoyed it, the most useful thing to come out of in was learning how to have difficult conversations. Genuinely feel my leadership skills have developed as a direct result of the course.