National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

From 1 April 2009 it becomes mandatory to have completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) prior to appointment to a first substantive headship.

From 1 April 2004, it became mandatory for all first-time headteachers appointed to a post in the maintained sector to hold the NPQH. Until 31 March 2009 there is a transitional arrangement allowing those with a place on the programme to be appointed to a first headship. However, from 1 April 2009 only those who have successfully completed NPQH will be able to be appointed to their first substantive headship position.

The NPQH application round which opens on 9th October 2006 is the last which allows those following the Standard Programme Route to complete NPQH in time to take part in an application and interview process in the Autumn of 2008 so as to take up a first substantive headship in April 2009.

The NPQH application round which opens on 10th April 2007 is the last which allows those following the Accelerated Programme Route to complete NPQH in time to take part in an application and interview process in the Autumn of 2008 so as to take up a first substantive headship in April 2009.

There are timelines on the NCSL website illustrating this.

Those aspiring to take up their first substantive headship from April 2009 and who have not yet started their NPQH must, therefore, act now if they are to complete their NPQH in time.

Regional centres are holding information sessions for the NPQH which provide a background to the structure and content of NPQH, and useful information on completing an application. If you are considering applying for NPQH, we would strongly recommend you attend one of these sessions.

Sessions for the Eastern Region are being held as follows:

9 October	Marriott Hotel, Peterborough	4.30-6pm
10 October	Novotel, Ipswich	4.30-6pm
11 October	Flitwick Rufus Centre, Bedford	2-3.30pm and 4.30-6pm
12 October	Easton College, Norwich	4.30-6pm

To book, please call NPQH on 01223 271 705. Further details about the NPQH programme can be found on the NCSL Website. If, after visiting the website, you still have questions about NPQH, then please contact David Orsborne who will be pleased to try to help. He can be contacted at the Norwich Professional Development Centre on 01603 433276.