HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualification

The HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualification (PLQ) is a development programme for pastoral middle leaders in independent senior and junior schools around the world. It is suitable for 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). We offer a bespoke PLQ for pastoral leaders working in Junior and Prep schools as well as a programme which is bespoke to the Scottish educational system.

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 for those aspiring to pastoral leadership. 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.

Please note that booking for the 2024/25 PLQ Programme clusters is now closed.

To register your interest for 2025/26 and to be notified when the booking system is open, please complete the expression of interest form HERE

For information:

• 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

Information for mentors

Information for mentors is available here.