PQH (NI)

You are here: Home > Pqh > PQH (NI)

PQH (NI) is an accredited course for those aspiring to headship which is recognised as being equivalent to NPQH in England and has equal status with Welsh PQH and Scottish Qualification for Headship.

(The qualification has been redesigned to reflect the changing role of headship and of school leadership and to meet the needs of those whose leadership experience and expertise places them within a touching distance of headship.)

PQH (NI) prepares aspiring headteachers for 21^st century strategic leadership and management challenges in Northern Ireland schools.

The PQH (NI) was first introduced in 1999 following steering and working group deliberations - involving all stakeholders and a formal consultation process conducted by the Department of Education which elicited unanimous support for the proposed model. A qualification to prepare teachers for headship, the model for PQH (NI) is a licensed adaptation of the National Qualification for Headship in England and reflects Northern Ireland's varying circumstances which include:-

differences in scale - reflected both in the much larger proportion of small primary schools in Northern Ireland, and closer working relationships between the various education bodies, providing opportunities to pool expertise and resources;
curricular differences - most noticeably in the implementation of the Revised NI Curriculum and the Entitlement Framework;
system differences - including the ICT systems that reflect the NI Education Technology Strategy.

The Regional Training Unit is the designated Lead Body and Awarding Body for PQH (NI).

Benefits for Aspiring Headteachers

Takes account of your professional development needs and your prior learning
Improves and develops your strategic leadership expertise
Develops key leadership and management skills
Enables you to build on your leadership and management strengths
Provides opportunities to work in different educational contexts
Gives you the confidence and competence to take up your first headship within 18 months of application, so you will make a positive impact on your school, the lives of children, young people and their families.

NPQH materials have been contextualised by teams of professionals for use in Northern Ireland. The programme is founded on the National Standards for Headteachers. Through personalised provision designed to meet the individual needs of each ‘trainee headteacher’, the programme will give you the confidence, skills and professional knowledge to deliver the best for pupils and all members of the school community in your first headship post.

The National Standards

The National Standards for Headteachers, which define the knowledge, professional qualities and actions required for effective school headship within six key areas; have been contextualised for Northern Ireland to reflect the distinctive aspects of our schooling system.

Information Sessions

If you require additional information after exploring this site, information sessions will be held at a number of venues throughout Northern Ireland from August to November. The first opportunity will be at our Summer School on Wednesday 19 August 2009.You may only apply for this through the Summer School prospectus.

Additional information opportunities will be held as twilight sessions (3.30 -5.30) throughout Northern Ireland (see below), no application is required. Please check these dates/venues nearer the session.

Date	Venue
Tuesday 15 September 2009	Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown
Tuesday 22 September 2009	Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast
Wednesday 23 September 2009 PLEASE NOTE ABOVE CHANGE OF DATE	Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn
Tuesday 13 October 2009	Radisson Hotel, Limavady
Tuesday 20 October 2009	Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh
Tuesday 10 November 2009	Armagh City Hotel, Armagh
Tuesday 17 November 2009	Balmoral Hotel, Belfast

PQH Publications

There are currently no publications available

Key Contacts

David Hamilton (PQH NI Advisor)	E: dhamilton@rtuni.org	T: 028 90618121	Ext: 264
Bobby Gray (PQH NI Project Leader : Assessment)	E: bgray@rtuni.org	T: 02890 618121	Ext: 226
Robert Fitzpatrick (Project Leader : Research & Dev)	E: rfitzpatrick@rtuni.org	T: 02890 618121	Ext: 225
Kathy Magee (Clerical Officer)	E: kmagee@rtuni.org	T: 028 90618121	Ext: 223
Louise White (Clerical Officer)	E: lwhite@rtuni.org	T: 02890 618121	Ext: 224
Julie Frost (Senior Clerk Typist)	E: jfrost@rtuni.org	T: 028 90618121	Ext: 231

All Contacts

Latest News

PQH (NI)

Date

Venue