More than 30 teachers from across Sussex have qualified to become headteachers as the latest batch of recruits to pass through education's answer to Sandhurst.

They have been praised by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) for their commitment and hard work.

The course, combining distance learning, school-based assessment and residential training at the college in Nottingham, will become mandatory for would-be heads from April next year.

Gill Harrison, deputy head at Durrington Middle School in Worthing, has been a teacher for nine years.

She said: "It was a natural progression for me. I found it a really good course. I learnt an awful lot and it just reinforced the fact I want to become a headteacher."

Mrs Harrison, 35, said the course, which lasted about 18 months for her, involved training days with other candidates and acting out scenarios as if they were in school. She also learnt about leadership and management.

She said: "It was good because you shared experiences with other people and gained lots of ideas. I would like to apply for a headship within the next couple of years but there is plenty to do here."

Other teachers also told how they enjoyed the course.

Maureen Ashley, deputy head at Steyning Grammar School, said she was delighted to have passed and particularly enjoyed the integrated aspect.

Cathy Gilfillan, assistant headteacher and head of lower school at Heathfield Community College, said: "I applied for the training because I thought it was an opportunity to have quality training over a period of time.

"It's particularly good at providing an opportunity to look at the broader picture and see the importance of developing a vision for the school.

"Some of the training was very confidence building, giving the opportunity to work with other people. I would like to apply for head posts and it has given me the confidence to do so."

Linda Dupret, deputy headteacher at Hangleton Infant School in Hove, said: "I started the course in October 2001 and I had a very positive experience. I really enjoyed it.

"I felt it gave me a good flavour of what being a headteacher would be like and I'd be much more confident at being a head now.

"I have just applied for my first headship. I wasn't expected to be shortlisted the first time round."

More than 180 teachers from counties across the South-East, including East Sussex, West Sussex, Channel Islands, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire gained the qualification.

Almost 900 teachers in the South have completed the NPQH with Education Management South-East (EMSE) since it began in 1997.

A variety of study methods are used including online learning, school-based assessment and residential training.

The programme is designed to fit around teachers' individual circumstances and can take between six months and two years according to previous experience.

Heather Du Quesnay, director and chief executive of the NCSL, said: "Good leadership in schools is key to raising standards and ensuring pupils are getting the high quality education they deserve.

"I want to congratulate all the teachers who have completed the NPQH for the time and effort they have put into preparing for the crucial role of headteacher."

Jan Carter, South-East NPQH centre manager, said: "These graduates have demonstrated a range of leadership skills and qualities and all at EMSE fully appreciated the amount of hard work and effort required to enable them to achieve the NPQH.

"The centre and its tutors are justifiably proud of their record of candidates who have gained the qualification and gone on to become heads of successful schools across the South-East."