Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the retention of school headteachers is improved.

Retaining the best headteachers is vital to improving pupil outcomes and delivering an excellent education for all children.

In order to provide leaders with the best evidence-based training and the support they need to be successful, we are reforming 3 existing National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) in senior leadership, headship and executive leadership.

To further support those taking an NPQ in Headship, we are also offering a tailored support package for new headteachers in their first 2 years of headship when they are at their least experienced and most at risk of leaving the profession. Improving understanding of what works in schools and of what great leadership looks like will support school leaders in feeling well equipped to deal with challenges while helping to reduce the workload burden.