The Steplab Certificate in Professional Development Leadership

The Steplab Certificate is now in its fifth year. So far, we’ve supported over a thousand leaders in the UK, Australia and worldwide to dramatically improve teacher professional development (PD) in their schools and trusts.

Certificate graduates have transformed the quality of teaching and learning and, most importantly, pupil outcomes.

This year, we have refreshed the programme to better support schools at every stage of their professional development in schools, including solo study, group PD and instructional coaching. With this comes a slight change in name: introducing the Certificate in PD Leadership, reflecting its broader focus.

Due to high demand, we will again run two cohorts in 2026–2027, with in-person delivery in Birmingham or London (depending on your preference and availability).

Applications for Cohort 5 (commencing September 2026) are now open.

100% of programme graduates rate the programme as good or very good (yes, you read that right).

Stats are great, but they don’t always tell the whole story - so here’s what participants say:

“The Certificate has transformed the way that I think about, approach and enact professional development across our whole trust. I cannot recommend it enough.”
Catherine Jeffes, Primary Teaching and Learning Lead, Cathedral Schools Trust

“The Certificate is superbly practical and deeply rooted in evidence and tried-and-tested wisdom. It has revolutionised my practice as a coach and as a leader of PD.”
Richard Dare, Lead Practitioner and 2i/c Maths

“My knowledge and understanding of how to design and implement an effective professional development programme has improved immensely. As a result, my ability to lead coaching at both school and trust level has developed significantly.”
Helen Lisseman, Teaching and Learning Lead - Primary, Oak MAT

“This has been one of the most pivotal training courses I have undertaken. It has expanded my view of coaching and built my skills and confidence to lead a meaningful and impactful coaching programme.”
Jayna Patel, Assistant Principal, Future Academies Watford

• 1.
  Both users and non-users of Steplab
• 2.
  Anyone responsible for teacher professional development in a school or trust
• 3.
  Anyone preparing to lead instructional coaching or professional development

Past participants include Lead Practitioners, Assistant Headteachers, Deputy Headteachers, Headteachers and Trust Directors.

• 1.
  How to lead effective teacher professional development, including solo study, group PD and coaching
• 2.
  How to design and lead an effective CPD for teachers programme
• 3.
  How to use group PD and drop-ins effectively and become a strong teacher coach

You’ll experience:

• 1.
  World-class training - hear from experts, see best practice, visit different contexts, and develop approaches you can apply in your school
• 2.
  Unparalleled peer support - work closely with other PD leaders who will motivate you, provide feedback and help you make change happen
• 3.
  A rigorous but reasonable programme - high standards, valuable activities, and support to meet them

The programme uses a blended approach, including:

• 1.
  Independent study
• 2.
  3 in-person days
• 3.
  1 school visit
• 4.
  Fortnightly virtual group calls
• 5.
  Access to the Steplab platform

• 1.
  Pre-reading: Summer 2026
• 2.
  Module 1 launch: September 2026
• 3.
  Module 2 launch: January 2027
• 4.
  Module 3 launch: April 2027

For schools using Steplab, the programme costs £1,250 (+VAT and a small booking fee) per delegate.

For non-partner schools, the programme costs £1,350 (+VAT and a small booking fee) per delegate and includes a Steplab licence for four users.

Discounts are available for trusts and multiple delegates. Email [email protected] to find out more.

Applications for Cohort 5 (commencing September 2026) are now open. Simply complete the 5-minute application form.

The early bird deadline is 15 May 2026. Schools applying by this date are guaranteed one place (if entry criteria are met) and receive 10% off using code EARLY10.

The final deadline is 5 June 2026.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the next cohort.