National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) External Moderator

From autumn 2021, a new and updated suite of NPQs is available for teachers and leaders who want to develop their knowledge and skills in school leadership and specialist areas of teaching practice. These reforms include: - replacing the current NPQ in middle leadership with three new NPQs for teachers and leaders who want to develop their expertise in specialist areas of teaching practice - reforming the three existing NPQs in senior leadership, headship and executive leadership.

Subject to a further invitation to tender for NPQ provision launched in November 2021, we also envisage two further new NPQs in Leading Literacy and Early Years Leadership will be available from September 2022.

As the appeal and value of NPQs depends on the quality and consistency of the qualification, faith in the assessment process is paramount. Checking for assessment consistency across NPQ Lead Providers is vital, alongside ensuring a reliable and fair process for all participants. To achieve this level of quality and consistency, the DfE is looking to contract with an organisation with the ability to deliver a robust system for the external moderation of NPQ summative assessments.