The government is set to announce a review of national professional qualifications (NPQs), with sector experts to advise on how to boost SEND, executive leadership and workload reduction skills in courses, Schools Week understands.
The previous government reformed the suite of NPQs, alongside introducing a new early career framework, as part of its ‘golden thread’ of teacher development reforms.
NPQs were offered for free as part of a £184 million Covid recovery plan scheme, but funding was massively scaled back by the Conservatives last year.
Labour has vowed to stick with the golden thread reforms, but has said it will “update” the ECF.
Review to focus on four key areas
The government is also set to announce a review of the NPQ framework shortly, Schools Week understands.
The review will look at making sure NPQs are providing better training in four key areas: SEND, leadership progression, workload reduction, and operational leadership.
The review will look at ensuring the NPQs offering the “best practice” for teaching pupils with special needs.
On SEND, it will look at the best practice for teaching pupils with special education needs and disabilities.
The review is also due to look at how leaders can make choices that support workload reduction, and best practice in operational aspects of leadership – such as “budget management and workforce deployment”.
It is also understood the government will announce more on its pledge to update the early career framework to ensure its “grounding in evidence”.
Heads among expert adviser panel
The government has also committed to delivering a teacher training entitlement to “ensure teachers stay up to date on best practice with continuing professional development”.
An expert panel of sector leaders is also due to advise government on the NPQ review. Schools Week understands the panel includes Chris Paterson, Co-CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, Reuben Moore, from the National Institute of Teaching, Neil Gilbride from Ambition Institute and Cat Scutt from the Chartered College of Teaching.
School leaders on the panel include Susan Douglas, Eden Academy Trust CEO, Birmingham head Sonia Thompson, Keziah Feathersone, executive head at The Mercian Trust and Dr Herminder Channa from Oasis Academy Trust.
