How are funded places allocated?
How will we decide who is allocated a funded place?
For Cohort 7 (November 2024 start) the DFE has announced a limited number of funded places. These places are available for anyone in any maintained school, college or nursery who wants to study NPQ Headship, NPQ Leading Primary Maths or NPQ for SENCO.
Funded places are also available for participants in PP50 schools (schools with the highest deprivation) who want to study our other NPQ courses- NPQ Leading Teaching, NPQ Leading Teacher Development, NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture or NPQ Executive Leadership.
If you are in a non-PP50 school and you want to study NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC or NPQEL your course will not be funded.
Stage One
In June 2024, the DFE informed us of our allocation of funded places. We reviewed all applications received prior to July 1st, in the order in which they were received and have allocated funded places where we are able to do so. We contacted all applicants to let everyone know about funding eligibility.
All applicants from before the 1st July, were then invited to complete the DFE registration form and a sponsor reference form within five working days.
Stage Two
On the 2nd July, remaining funded places will be allocated among our regional delivery partners. Applicants will be offered a funded place, on a first come, first served basis- based on regional availability. If your chosen area is full you will be offered the choice of a neighbouring delivery partner or have the option to move on to our waiting list.
Stage Three
In mid-August, and mid-September, we will review our waiting list and consider whether any funded places can be released to those waiting. We will be in touch if we are able to offer you a funded place at a review point.
Stage Four
Once applications close (27th September 2024) we may have more funded places available, if participants are unable to begin their course (e.g. for personal reasons). If a funded place becomes available it will be offered to the people on the waiting list in order of application.
If we are unable to offer you a funded place, you will be asked to self-fund your course. We would usually expect a school to fund the place on your behalf but individuals do choose to fund themselves occasionally. If you are unable to fund your course yourself, or via your school, you will be unable to start your course with us.
It is important that, if you are offered a funded place at any stage, that you complete your DFE registration form, CEFEL application form and sponsor form within 5 working days. If you do not complete the additional paperwork within this window, we will allocate your funded place to another participant. This is because there are likely to be more applications than there are funded places and we want everyone to have the best possible chance to secure a fully funded place.
