To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the National Professional Qualification for Headship will be compulsory for all new head teachers, including those changing schools; and if he will make a statement. (169796)

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) will be compulsory for all new heads in maintained schools or non-maintained special schools, both for primary and secondary head teachers, but not deputies. The Education (Headteachers’ Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003, SI 3111 apply. This requires them to have, or be working towards, NPQH if they took up their first headship post in a local authority maintained school or a special school after April 2004. It will be mandatory to hold the qualification (rather than be working towards it) from 1 April 2009. The NPQH prepares candidates for the role of headship and is a benchmark qualification underpinned by the National Standards for Headteachers.