The Power to Award Degrees etc. (School-Led Development Trust) Order 2025
The Order authorized School-Led Development Trust to award taught degrees in education and teaching for a fixed term.
The Power to Award Degrees etc. (School-Led Development Trust) Order 2025, effective August 1, 2025, authorizes the School-Led Development Trust (also known as The National Institute of Teaching) to grant taught awards up to the master's degree level in education and teaching.
This authorization is for a fixed term, expiring July 31, 2029, and is contingent upon students being enrolled with the trust at the time of course completion.
The Office for Students made the order based on advice received and in accordance with the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.
Arguments For
Intended benefit: Grants School-Led Development Trust (SLDT) the authority to award degrees, potentially increasing educational opportunities and enhancing the quality of teacher training.
Evidence cited: The Order cites Section 42(1) and 42(9) of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 as the legal basis for its issuance, demonstrating adherence to established legislation.
Implementation methods: The Order clearly outlines the SLDT's authorization, the types of awards permitted, the specific timeframe, and associated conditions.
Legal/historical basis: The Order is based on the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, providing a clear legal framework for its implementation.
Arguments Against
Potential impacts: Granting this power to a single institution might potentially limit competition in the education market.
Implementation challenges: Ensuring that the SLDT maintains sufficient quality standards and compliance with regulations could present challenges.
Alternative approaches: The government could have explored alternative methods to fulfill the objectives of improving teacher training through funding mechanisms or partnerships with existing institutions.
Unintended effects: The Order's focus on education and teaching degrees might unintentionally neglect other important areas of educational advancement.
- This Order may be cited as the Power to Award Degrees etc. (School-Led Development Trust) Order 2025 and shall come into force on 1st August 2025.
This section establishes the title and effective date of the Order.
The Order will be officially known as the 'Power to Award Degrees etc. (School-Led Development Trust) Order 2025' and it takes effect on August 1, 2025.
- School-Led Development Trust (also known as The National Institute of Teaching) (registered company number 13429740) is authorised to grant awards of the kind mentioned in section 42(2)(c) of the said Act for taught awards up to and including master’s degree level for subjects relating to education and teaching.
This section grants authorization to the School-Led Development Trust (SLDT), also known as The National Institute of Teaching, to award taught degrees.
The awards are limited to master's degree level or below and must be related to education and teaching.
The authorization references a specific section of an existing act for legal backing.
- The authorisation in article 2 is for a fixed term beginning on 1st August 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st July 2029.
This section clarifies the fixed term of the authorization granted in Article 2.
The SLDT's authority to award degrees begins on August 1, 2025, and ends on July 31, 2029.
- School-Led Development Trust may only grant the awards specified in article 2 to persons enrolled with it at the time they complete the course of study for which the award is granted.
This section specifies a condition of the authorization.
The SLDT can only grant degrees to students who are enrolled with them when completing their studies.
This ensures students are fully affiliated with the SLDT throughout their education.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order authorises School-Led Development Trust (also known as The National Institute of Teaching) to grant the taught awards mentioned in article 2 of this Order for a fixed term beginning on 1st August 2025 and expiring at the end of the day on 31st July 2029. An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on businesses and civil society organisations. The instrument has no impact on the public sector.
The explanatory note summarizes the Order's key features, specifying the authorization to SLDT for a set period.
It also clarifies that no impact assessment was necessary due to the lack of effects on businesses, civil society, or the public sector.
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