Price tag put on tests for head teachers

School heads have told Labour it will cost pounds 45m to fund a compulsory qualification for all head teachers. David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has asked for a spending commitment for the full amount from Labour in return for his association's support for a compulsory scheme.

The Prime Minister and Tony Blair clashed in the Commons over head-teacher training last week after inspectors said 3,000 heads were not up to scratch.

A government-backed voluntary qualification starts this autumn, though John Major hinted he might consider making it a requirement for all heads. Labour has said its scheme would be compulsory.

In a letter to David Blunkett, Labour's spokesman on education, Mr Hart argues: "Since the Labour Party considers the national qualification of headship important, it must be prepared to pay for all candidates. We estimate that there would be 15,000 candidates at a cost of pounds 3,000 each or pounds 45m." Failure to provide the money will worsen the difficulties already faced by many inner-city schools in recruiting new heads, he adds.

Mr Hart says the Government chose not to make the present scheme compulsory because of the cost. As a result, some heads will have to find the money from their own pockets.

Heads remain sceptical about the need for compulsion but Mr Hart says they could accept it if the Government provided all the funds and all candidates had the same opportunities to acquire it.

Secondary heads said changes to the A-level, to be announced today, will cost pounds 600m. A new exam, halfway between GCSE and A-level will be introduced to encourage students to sit a wider range of subjects. The Secondary Heads Association said staffing and exam fees would cost more because students would be taking more exams.