# Ofsted to extend pause on inspections of NPQ and ECTP providers

Date: 5 Oct 2026
Released by: Ofsted

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Ofsted will extend its pause on inspections of National Professional Qualification and Early Career Teacher Provider programmes. The inspectorate says the pause continues while the Department for Education reviews arrangements for these teacher-development providers. Ofsted will confirm when inspections of NPQ and ECTP providers resume.

## Original release

The current pause on routine inspections of national professional qualification providers will continue for the rest of the academic year 2026/27. We will also be applying the pause to routine inspections of early career teacher programme providers. This extended pause is to allow Ofsted to continue developing a renewed inspection framework that aligns our inspections of NPQ and ECTP providers with the current approach to inspecting other education remits. During this time, we will engage with the sector on the new inspection toolkit, operating guide and report card for NPQ and or ECTP providers. Routine inspections of providers of both programmes will resume in the academic year 2027/28. Press office 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday 0300 013 0415

## Key details

- Issued by: Ofsted
- Published: 5 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: United Kingdom
- Subject country/region: England (United Kingdom)
- Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofsted-to-extend-pause-on-inspections-of-npq-and-ectp-providers
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr01235-ofsted-to-extend-pause-on-inspections-of-npq-and-ectp-05102026.html

Original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofsted-to-extend-pause-on-inspections-of-npq-and-ectp-providers
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/uk/mr01235-ofsted-to-extend-pause-on-inspections-of-npq-and-ectp-05102026.html