Head teacher exam re-jigged

The compulsory qualification for head teachers is to be made harder to ensure that those who gain it are determined to follow the career.

Just a third of the 30,000 teachers who have gained the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) have gone on to fill head teacher vacancies, reports the BBC.

The National College for School Leadership has said that the qualification will now require applicants to attend placement in a school with marked differences to their own.

Other changes include large sections of the course being online and more concentration on major government initiatives.

Jane Doughty of the NPQH explained the changes to the news provider, saying: "We want to maintain and improve the flow of high-quality graduates into headship."

The development comes as the number of head teacher vacancies increases, with teachers leaving the profession rising along with older school leaders retiring.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association for School and College Leaders, said that headship is one the "most rewarding and important jobs" in the education sector and welcomed the amended qualification to help future head teachers.