Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many people started the National Professional Qualification for Headship in the financial year (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

a) In financial year 2009/10 1466 people commenced the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme.

b) In financial year 2010/11 1464 people commenced the NPQH programme.

c) In financial year 2011/12 1981 people commenced the NPQH programme.

There are two NPQH application rounds per annum.

NPQH has a learning journey of 12-18 months and therefore participants commencing during one financial year may not present for the final assessment for a further two financial years.