New qualifications to progress teaching careers

The Department for Education has announced that a new advisory group will recommend developing new, specialist National Professional Qualifications to help teachers excel in the classroom.

The panel of experts will support the development of new, specialist qualifications for experienced teachers that build on the core areas of the Early Career Framework – the biggest teaching reform in a generation - such as assessment and teaching practices. This is set to be backed by at least £130 million a year when fully rolled out.

The team draws on a range of experience from across the school system, including curriculum experts, current school leaders and leading academics, and will play an essential role in helping to ensure all the qualifications are aligned in order to maximise the benefits for teachers.

The new qualifications are expected to be in place during the 2020/21 academic year.

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said: “These new qualifications, backed by education experts, will provide recognition for those teachers who want to develop their skills and progress their careers. Our ambition is for teachers to be able to do so without having to pursue traditional leadership routes, instead expanding their expertise in vital areas such as curriculum or behaviour management.”

Richard Gill, chair of the Teaching Schools Council, said: “Effective professional development is proven to benefit teaching and, therefore, impacts on students in many ways. There is a need to ensure that the current programme of qualifications meet the needs of the current educational landscape. These new bespoke qualifications will provide practitioners with an excellent opportunity to develop and progress their careers, building stronger and more effective classroom practice without the need for them to follow traditional leadership roles.”