Please be advised that a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to notify the market of forthcoming market engagement events relating to the new suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and New Headteacher Programme (NHP) has been launched.
Background
In January 2019, the Department published the widely praised Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy, which included a commitment to invest in specialist National Professional Qualifications (SNPQs) to support teachers to develop expertise in particular areas, and to complement existing leadership qualifications.
The Secretary of State recently reinforced his commitment in a speech at the ASCL Conference in March 2020 to introduce a “world leading development offer” by creating “a golden thread running from Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through to school leadership, rooting teacher and leader development in the best available evidence”. As part of this commitment, reforms to the package of leadership National Professional Qualifications were also announced in this speech.
The reform of the full suite of NPQs, including the introduction of new specialist qualifications in Leading Teaching; Leading Behaviour and Culture; and Leading Teacher Development, and the development of the NHP is a critical element in making the ‘golden thread’ a reality.
To ensure implementation is a success, we are seeking national providers to lead the delivery, from September 2021, of the qualifications. It is expected that lead providers will deliver their service in partnership with other high-quality organisations, including the national network of Teaching School Hubs which will be in place in early 2021. It is expected that Teaching School Hubs, along with other education training providers, will play a key role in the delivery of NPQs and the NHP.
Market Engagement Events
The Department will be undertaking market engagement events on the 14th, 15th, and 16th July at 2pm. We would like to invite you to a webinar forum, where we will focus on a range of aspects including content and delivery of the NPQs and NHP. It is anticipated that the events will last between 2 to 3 hours. The objectives of the events will be to:
- To inform you of the Department priorities regarding reformed NPQs and the NHP, and wider reforms.
- Give you an understanding of the aim of the procurement.
- To give you the opportunity to provide feedback.
Details of how you can register your interest in attending can be found within the PIN, which is published on Contracts Finder.
Further information with regards to the reformed suite of NPQs and NHP can be found on gov.uk.