Teaching is the greatest professional privilege that anyone could have. Working with young people, developing their understanding of our subject, and watching and supporting them as they grow into independent learners is the most rewarding and enjoyable experience. Naturally, as one progresses through the teaching profession, our gaze turns more widely, from looking at those solely in our classes to other students in our school, subject, or phase, and the NPQLT has been an incredible experience which has helped me to lead more effectively, and secure positive change for a broad range of students in my school.

As a self-confessed research nut, I was, prior to the course, familiar with reading and understanding educational research (and have written and contributed to a certain amount myself). However, I recognised the need to develop how I translate this research into classroom practice, and to leading a team of teachers towards making a lasting and sustainable change to their practice. I found the implementation modules of the NPQLT particularly helpful for this, and alongside my implementation project, they enabled me to work through the relevant literature, and orchestrate a series of changes at a Key-Stage level within my school. The changes worked well and have sustained a period of considerable growth for student engagement and achievement in our department, a series of changes for which the NPQLT, and the excellent peer-learning groups, served as a fantastic sounding board.

I think that the peer learning groups are the clearest possible evidence that if you put 20 passionate teachers into a room, they will always find something to chat about (and never stop talking). Each one provided me with excellent contextualisation to the theoretical work completed as part of the course, and a wealth of shared experience to draw on. They were in themselves some of the most effective CPD I’ve ever taken part in.

Whilst completing an NPQ can be a daunting prospect, particularly when working in such a busy and chaotic an environment as education, the workload is certainly manageable, and the distance learning element is well sequenced to ensure it is always attainable. Additionally, the facilitators are so warm and engaging you instantly feel comfortable when working with them, which also makes the process incredibly enjoyable.

I can honestly say I have found the NPQLT to be one of the most enjoyable CPD experiences I have had in my career, and certainly the most impactful. I use the skills and knowledge developed on the course every day, and will continue to do so for a long time to come!