National Professional Qualifications Framework

The purpose of this early engagement notice is to notify the market of forthcoming market engagement events relating to the reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and a new support package for first time heads, provisionally called the New Headteacher Programme. The Department will be undertaking three online events between 14th and 16th July 2020 for interested national lead providers to input into the implementation of these programmes.

In January 2019, the Department published the widely praised Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy, which included a commitment to invest in specialist NPQs to support teachers to develop expertise in particular areas, and to complement existing leadership qualifications. The three new specialist qualifications are Leading Teaching; Leading Behaviour and Culture; and Leading Teacher Development.

The Secretary of State for Education announced in March that the Department is also reviewing the full current suite of Leadership NPQs to ensure that they cover the specific knowledge and skills that school leaders need for the future, and the development of the New Headteacher Programme which will be closely linked with the National Professional Qualification for Headship and made available to new headteachers in their first two years of headship. The reformed suite of NPQs and the New Headteacher Programme will be available to teachers and school leaders from Autumn 2021 alongside the Early Career Framework.

Together they will help deliver improved teacher quality by creating a coherent, career-long, programme of development. To ensure success, DfE is seeking national providers to lead the delivery of the NPQs and the New Headteacher Programme, from Autumn 2021.

There are three supplier events scheduled to take place week commencing 13th July and are anticipated to last between 2 and 3 hours. Please note that a maximum of two people from each organisation can attend each event.

For more information please see the attached Prior Information Notice Document. Additional information: This notice is for information only and is not a call for competition.

The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not award contracts. Accordingly, the Authority will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by a provider in acting on the basis of this PIN. All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change.