National Professional Qualification for Headship

{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (or NPQH) is a professional qualification for aspiring headteachers. The qualification was introduced in 1997 by the newly elected Labour government, following a commitment in their manifesto to introduce a mandatory qualification for head teachers.{{cite book |page=353 |title=LABOUR PARTY GENERAL ELECTION MANIFESTOS 1900–1997 |editor=Dale, Iain |year=2000 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780203170878}} Initially voluntary, the first group of people were awarded the qualification in July 1998.{{Cite news |date=14 July 1998 |title=The first fully qualified heads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/132259.stm |access-date=2020-07-11}} The legal requirement and qualification became mandatory on 1 April 2004.{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=2003 |number=3111 |si=Education (Head Teachers' Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003 |accessdate=2020-07-11}} Until 8 February 2012, holding the NPQH was a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed English and Welsh school head teachers.{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=2012 |number=18 |si=The Education (Head Teachers' Qualifications) (England) (Revocation) Regulations 2012 |accessdate=2020-07-11}} It is taught via blended learning at centres all over the country, and administered by the National College for Teaching and Leadership which has centres in Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Ruddington.

It is intended to prepare experienced teachers for headships through training in management techniques, tutorial support, and achieving school standards.

In April 2005, the Conservative Party made scrapping the college and qualification a part of their manifesto for the May 2005 General Election,{{Cite news |date=2005-04-19 |title=Tories scrap heads' qualification |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4458107.stm |access-date=2020-07-11}} a move criticised by the incumbent Labour government and teaching union the National Association of Head Teachers.{{Cite news |date=2005-04-20 |title=Tory headship plans 'ludicrous' |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4465139.stm |access-date=2020-07-11}}