(This note is not part of the Regulations)
The Education (Head Teachers' Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003, which have been amended by the Education (Head Teachers' Qualifications) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2005, require a first time head teacher of a maintained school in England to hold a prescribed qualification. This qualification is the National Professional Qualification for Headship, or its equivalent in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
These amendment regulations exempt from that requirement head teachers of maintained nursery schools in England, who may instead hold, or be working towards, the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership.