SSAT Lead Practitioner (LP) Accreditation - How it works - Benefits for individuals

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Adam

SSAT Lead Practitioner (LP) Accreditation recognises excellent practice in education by accrediting skilled practitioners and embedding evidence-informed teaching and learning across schools. The programme combines a framework of professional standards with a profession-designed accreditation process, supported by SSAT guidance, reference library resources, and action research linked to school priorities. Portfolio assessment occurs each term with gateway dates published online, enabling continued professional development and expanding leaders’ impact beyond teams.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

How it works

Reference library

National cohort

Benefits for the individual

The SSAT Lead Practitioner standards

Why implement SSAT Lead Practitioner Accreditation in your school?

Lead Practitioner cohort support

Accreditation SSAT Lead Practitioner (LP) Accreditation Recognising excellent practice in education, inspiring teachers, support staff and leaders to make a difference where it really counts – in the classroom. Celebrating your best practitioners, the accreditation improves expertise, supports professional development, and embeds a culture of evidence-informed teaching and learning across your school. Once accredited, LPs continue How it works The programme is made up of a framework of professional standards and a process of accreditation that has been designed by the profession, for the profession. It recognises the skills, experience Reference library Whether they are an individual LP, or part of a school or LP Learning Centre (LPLC) cohort already benefiting from the tailored support sessions, aspiring LPs have access to a comprehensive reference library offering their journey as leaders of learning, inspiring others to embrace LP standards and creating communities of learners across the system. The greatest value of LP is as a rigorous process for improving teaching and learning across your whole school, local network or multi-academy trust (MAT). By providing consistent professional and qualities of school staff at every level. SSAT Lead Practitioners start by identifying action research projects linked to school or local priorities. Aspirant LPs assess their ongoing progress against the ten Lead Practitioner standards. Successful LPs will be able to evidence extending their sphere of influence beyond their team, a range of information, advice and guidance, which is regularly updated. National cohort Individual aspiring LPs, not part of a school or LPLC cohort have the option of joining a national cohort of LPs, where they will join online support seminars and have the opportunity to network with other aspirant development disciplines rooted in action research and evidence-based teaching and learning, LP empowers professionals to improve together, in all settings and phases. Effectively, LPs can turn wholeschool priorities into tangible classroom impact. Benefits for the individual 􀀏 International accreditation that recognises professional expertise in leading learning. 􀀏 Recognition within their own organisation. 􀀏 Continued professional development through the accreditation process. 􀀏 An opportunity to celebrate the impact of their work. 􀀏 Membership to the wider SSAT LP community. with some impacting beyond their school. The process of working towards accreditation is as important as the outcome. The process of self-assessment is supported by guidance and support from SSAT experts, enabling practitioners to reflect on the impact of their practice and expand on how it can be shared with colleagues. Assessment of LP portfolios is carried out once per term. The assessment gateway dates are available on the LP site and reminders are sent directly to aspirant LPs by the SSAT LP team. LPs may submit their portfolio at the most appropriate gateway within two years of joining the programme. LPs from a range of settings. “Lead Practitioner Accreditation made me more self-reflective and more willing to try new strategies. It also encouraged me to work beyond my team and to take on more whole school responsibilities.” Alice Andrea, History Lead Practitioner, Little Ilford School The SSAT Lead Practitioner standards The LP standards describe the attributes of leaders of learning. The standards were driven by teachers, support staff and leaders who wanted to recognise, value and celebrate the impact of their colleagues in leading learning. SSATco-created the LP standards with schools, Warwick University and the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE). Refined and continuously developed through regular consultation over several years, the standards truly provide the definitive framework for professional development in education. The ten LP st

FAQs

What is the SSAT Lead Practitioner (LP) Accreditation designed to achieve?

It recognises excellent educational practice and improves expertise by embedding evidence-informed teaching and learning across schools, networks, or trusts.

How does the accreditation programme work?

It uses a framework of professional standards and an accreditation process designed by the profession, supported by guidance and reference resources.

When and how are LP portfolios assessed?

Portfolio assessment takes place once per term. Aspiring LPs can submit their portfolio at an appropriate gateway within two years of joining, with gateway dates available on the LP site.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Adam