More than 50 teaching staff have taken the first steps to new professional qualifications.

The teachers and school leaders are CET’s inaugural intake for National Professional Qualification (NPQ) courses.

NPQs are prestigious professional qualifications, widely recognised in the education sector. They are designed to support the professional development of teachers and school leaders at all levels, in both the primary and secondary sector.

The fully funded courses are being run by CET, alongside its partners, Ambition Institute and Three Rivers Teaching School Hub.

The new intake from 18 schools was welcomed at a series of induction events at Rheged Centre, Penrith.

Nic Tweddle, CET Assistant Headteacher and Leadership Development Manager, said it was exciting to launch a new set of opportunities for teachers looking to expand their knowledge.

She said: “We are delighted to welcome participants from across Cumbria and the North of England onto our NPQ programmes as they make the next step in their leadership journey.

“There has been a huge amount of interest in this first round of NPQs being delivered by experienced professionals from within the trust and with the support of renowned trainers.”

The five courses, studied over a minimum 12 months, are Leading Behaviour and Culture, Leading Teaching, Leading Teacher Development, Senior Leadership and Headship. All programmes are being delivered and facilitated by a highly skilled team of Ambition Institute trained and qualified Visiting Fellows.

For information about the next round of NPQ courses starting later in 2022, please contact npqs@cumbriaeducationtrust.org