HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualification

The HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualification (PLQ) is a development programme for pastoral middle leaders in HMC member senior and junior schools e.g. Heads of Year, Heads of Section, Heads of House (Boarding and Day), Heads of Pupil Support teams etc. The PLQ is designed and delivered in partnership with the UCL/Institute of Education (IOE).

Whilst aspiring pastoral leaders may also take part, the training sessions and portfolio activities are primarily intended for those already in post, and HMCPD’s ‘Preparing to be a Pastoral Leader’ is likely to provide more appropriate content. Colleagues who are not currently pastoral leaders should discuss in school whether the PLQ is an appropriate course for them.  They are also welcome to contact HMC at [email protected] to discuss. Experienced colleagues who are beginning to consider deputy head positions may possibly find HMCPD’s ‘Preparing for Senior Leadership’ course of greater relevance.

Please see the PLQ Briefing Document for more information about the programme.

• Six Level 1 clusters are running in the 2024-25 academic year. Five of these will follow the “original” PLQ model with two face-to-face training days (autumn term and spring term), including clusters in Scotland and for the Junior sector, and the sixth will be an online course.
• Two Level 2 clusters are running in the 2024-25 academic year: one face-to-face and one online.

For the PLQ Junior Cluster briefing document, please visit HERE

For the PLQ Scottish Cluster briefing document, please visit HERE

For further information and to book on a cluster, please click on the relevant link below:

PLQ Level 1                      London Cluster 1           HERE

PLQ Level 1                      London Cluster 2           HERE

PLQ Level 1                      Midlands Cluster           HERE

PLQ Level 1                      Scottish Cluster              HERE

PLQ Level 1                      Junior Cluster                  HERE

PLQ Level 1                      Online Cluster                 HERE

PLQ Level 2                      London Cluster               HERE

PLQ Level 2                      Online Cluster                 HERE

Information for mentors

Information for mentors is available here.