UK qualifications and other headship qualifications

UK qualifications

The following UK qualifications for headteachers are deemed to demonstrate the Standard for Headship (SFH):

• The National Professional Qualification for Headship in England;
• The National Professional Qualification for Headship in Wales;
• The Professional Qualification for Headship in Northern Ireland.

If you have one of the above UK Headship Qualifications, and would like to add the Standard for Headship to your registration, please submit a scanned copy of your certificate, your GTC Scotland Registration Number, contact details and the subject line ‘Standard for Headship’ using the Contact form.

Other headship qualifications

Prospective headteacher candidates with headship qualifications gained outwith the UK must first demonstrate eligibility for full registration (as a teacher in a Scottish school) with GTC Scotland in order to apply for SFH equivalency.

Once full registration has been demonstrated, candidates wishing to apply for SFH Equivalency must complete the application form below.

Qualifications will be assessed on the following basis as meeting the SFH:

• the qualification is supported by a university
• the qualification is accredited by a national education body in relation to the post of headteacher/principal
• the qualification is equivalent to 60 credits at SCQF 11 and is likely underpinned with other learning at this level
• the qualification content includes level 11 learning with a focus on developing as a strategic educational leader and leading strategic educational change

Standard for Headship Qualification equivalency application form