This page introduces the national standards for the role of headteacher.
The DfES guidance National standards for headteachers defines the headteacher’s core purpose and sets out the knowledge and professional qualities needed in six key areas. Having national standards means that all stakeholders can be clear about what the role of headteacher involves, and what to expect from headteachers. The standards can support:
- recruitment - schools will find the standards helpful when devising the job and person specification for the role
- performance management - the standards provide a framework for headteachers and governors for the performance management process
- national qualifications - the national professional qualification for headship (NPQH) uses the standards as the basis for the thresholds within its assessment framework.
Follow the link on this page to see the national standards in full.
