Government announce new Headteachers' Standards

The Department for Education (DfE) has today unveiled its new Headteachers’ Standards, revised for the first time since 2015. The standards are designed to reflect what effective school leaders know, understand and do in leading and managing a school.

Alongside the standards the DfE also published new content frameworks for a reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). Refreshed NPQs will be available to teachers and school leaders from September 2021.

Here, Ambition Institute’s Executive Director of School Leadership, Tom Rees, speaks on the impact they will have on the sector:

“The work of school leaders is second only to classroom teaching in improving outcomes for pupils. Successful school leaders create the environments where teachers and pupils can thrive.

“That’s why reforming professional development in the sector is so important. A coherent set of professional standards and qualifications, rooted in the best evidence, will help teachers and leaders to keep getting better and help keep talent in the system.

“The new Headteachers’ Standards reflect both the ethics and expertise required to lead a school. These will provide a solid basis for school leaders’ ongoing professional development in the future.

“Investing in our teachers and leaders in such a challenging year for schools is the right thing to do and reflects the incredible value they have in society.”