Pipeline Framework: Prior Information Notice – External moderation of National Professional Qualification (NPQ) assessments

A pipeline has been launched for Prior Information Notice – External moderation of National Professional Qualification (NPQ) assessments.The contract start Date is 1 May 2022. Approach to market date is 1 December 2021.PurposeThe purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of a forthcoming Tender aimed at awarding a contract for providing a national external moderation service for the new suite of NPQ summative assessments from 2022.DescriptionIn the Department’s Recruitment and Retention strategy, published in January 2019, we committed to improving support for teachers, ensuring that they receive high quality training and development at every stage of their career – from Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through to leadership qualifications.NPQs are an established qualification recognised within the teaching profession. From Autumn 2021, a reformed suite of NPQs will be available for teachers and leaders who want to develop their knowledge and skills in school leadership and specialist areas of teaching practice. The reformed suite of NPQs currently comprises of the following qualifications:Specialist NPQs:Qualification – NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT). Target audience – For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.Qualification – NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC). Target audience- For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school.Qualification – NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD). Target audience -For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. They may have responsibilities for the development of all teachers across a school or specifically trainees or teachers who are early in their career.Updated Leadership NPQs (from Sept 21):Qualification – NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL). Target audience- For school leaders who are, or aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross school responsibilities.Qualification – NPQ for Headship (NPQH). Target audience- For school leaders who are, or aspiring to be, a head teacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.Qualification – NPQ for Executive Leadership (NPQEL). Target audience- For school leaders who are, or aspiring to be, an executive head teacher or have a school trust Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role with responsibility for leading several schools.Further information on the national roll-out of the reformed NPQs can be found here.The reputation of the reformed suite of NPQs and the impact they can have on career progression will rest on the trust that schools and participants have in the level of professional development and achievement that the qualifications represent.This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT. Email: NPQ.ExternalModeration@education.gov.uk