Evaluation of the 2017 National Professional Qualifications final evaluation report for the 2017-18 cohort

This document summarizes evaluations of the 2017 Reformed National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for school leaders, which aimed to improve the quality of educational leadership. The NPQs offered four levels of qualifications and introduced reforms such as scholarships and updated content. Evaluations used online surveys, interviews, and focus groups, gathering feedback from over 2,400 participants and 83 line managers. Findings showed high recruitment, participant satisfaction with content and delivery, and a positive impact on leadership readiness and career progression, though no significant effect on pupil attainment was observed. Participants valued the NPQs for career advancement and skill development, despite challenges with costs and time. Recommendations included more practical content, better assessment guidance, and further tailoring to individual and school contexts. Overall, the NPQs were seen as beneficial for leadership development and career advancement in education. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Education (DfE)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Generic research method
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: October 2021

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes