National Professional Qualifications Framework Department for Education Review

As the pinnacle of what the Department for Education (DfE) terms the Golden Thread, National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) – to continue the sewing metaphor – have become a reputable part of the patchwork quilt of professional development for teachers and leaders (that should be noted and commended is entirely voluntary).

We currently work with Lead Providers: the National Institute of Teaching and Teach First who provide the teaching materials, which are delivered by our expert and experienced Facilitators, drawn from local schools and Multi Academy Trusts – all of which is co-ordinated by our hard-working SWIFT Central Team to ensure Programme Members keep on track.
 
As a suite of leadership qualifications, NPQs are based on the best available evidence and best practice of teaching and leadership in education. During the post-Covid recovery years, NPQs were effectively established as essential support for teachers and leaders, underwritten by scholarships for funded places.
 
This has helped to see a significant uplift in colleagues embarking on their NPQ journey. We celebrate NPQs for supporting career progression, improving quality and consistency of leadership, retention of teachers and leaders and quality of teaching (including impact on pupil outcomes).
 
You will understand from your own professional classroom practice, and your school and Multi Academy Trust improvement strategy that life does not stand still in education. Too much is at stake in our rapidly and ever-changing world with the need to equip our children and young people with optimal learning opportunities in line with evolving evidence to improve, enhance and progress.
 
With this educational evolution in mind, the DfE is undertaking a formal Review of the existing ten NPQs.
 
The scope of the Review includes, but is not limited to, consideration of the following key areas: 

• SEND.
• Leadership progression.
• Workload reduction.
• Operational leadership. 

 
Working in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), the DfE are seeking to update the evidence-base underpinning the NPQs and an Expert Steering Group has been convened with representation from Headteachers, Trust CEOs, Lead Providers, and the Chartered College of Teaching, which will be complemented by other stakeholder engagement. 

As a thorough process, the Review is expected to take approximately 18 months; during which time, the existing suite of NPQs will remain in place until completed with time for implementation. 
 
Our Strategic Lead, Roger Pope and member of the now voluntary Teaching School Hubs Council is leading a National NPQs Advisory Group with regional representation from other Teaching School Hubs. The recent launch meeting provided a useful opportunity to discuss various considerations that have been presented to the DfE as part of their information gathering. A compelling reflection (amongst many) from the discussion and, something we can all relate to in curriculum delivery, is of time as the Mother of Depth with the importance of NPQ Programme Members having enough time to cover the programme content and avoiding any dilution of time should the content be expanded.
 
We are pleased to be part of the Review engagement with the DfE and we look forward to contributing ultimately, as part of our commitment to provide professional qualifications that count for our teachers and leaders.

​Report by Jude Baylis, SWIFT Executive Assistant