Commenting on the announcement from Education Secretary Angela Constance that teachers undertaking the masters-level headship qualification will be fully funded from 2016, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers union in Scotland, said:

“The NASUWT has been pressing for the headship qualification to be funded fully since it was first announced and we welcome this announcement.

“The Education Secretary has rightly realised that cost must not be a barrier to teachers being able to develop their careers and move into school leadership.

“Funding of the training removes one major barrier to accessing to career progression, but funding alone does not secure equality of access.

“The lack of BME representation in leadership posts is scandalous. More also needs to be done to address women’s career progression. Women are in the majority in the profession and still they remain under represented in these leadership positions.

“The NASUWT will continue to press for effective action plan to address these inequalities.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:

“The NASUWT has long called for active steps to be taken to widen access to school leadership roles and it is welcome that the Minister has listened to the Union’s concerns around funding for those undertaking the qualification.

“It is equally important that workload does not prevent teachers undertaking this training and the NASUWT will continuing to press for adequate time to be provided.

“The NASUWT will be closely monitoring the roll-out of the qualification to ensure that the qualification is developed and managed in a way which allows equality of access for all aspiring school leaders.”