Research into the work engagement, wellbeing and retention of teachers and school leaders in England

Evidence from the UCL-led Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) Programmes (2022-2026).

UCL Centre for Educational Leadership (CEL) is the UK’s largest university-based centre for research, teaching, development and innovation in educational leadership. The work of the Centre has been strongly influenced by the national policy on leadership and improvement since its establishment in 1997. 

On behalf of IOE and in partnership with 31 Teaching School Hubs and two city-wide school alliances across the country, UCL CEL led the pilot and now leads the delivery of the national rollout of the Early Career Framework (ECF) and the full suite of reformed National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), to a total of c24,200 teachers, mentors and school leaders. 

The CEL’s central approach to knowledge creation, exchange and enrichment enables mutual learning with the profession and ensures that not only what we research is relevant, but also how what we have learned from our research is then collaboratively transformed to be used by the profession to make a difference.

Find out more about our research activities and publications