Revised National Standards for Head Teachers in Wales: Circular 14/06

The National Standards for Head teachers are designed to provide a framework for professional development and action, to inform, challenge and enthuse new, aspiring and serving head teachers.

The Standards underpin the National Headship Development Programme in Wales (NHDP).  This includes the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). They also assist in the processes of selection, recruitment and performance management of head teachers and clearly define what should be expected from the role of a head teacher.

The new standards embody three underlying principles, in recognition that the work of headteachers should be:

• learning centred
• focused on leadership
• professionally orientated

To complement the new headship standards, we have worked in partnership with school leaders across Wales to develop a series of case studies to exemplify the six key areas of headship identified in the standards.