Hundreds of teachers have won praise for their hard work after earning a qualification preparing them to be headteachers.

The teachers have been awarded the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

They will be honoured at two graduation ceremonies at the University of Greenwich on Saturday.

NPQH is awarded by the National College for School Leadership and provides aspiring headteachers with training in leadership and management.

Heather Du Quesnay, director and chief executive of the college, said: "Good leadership in schools is the 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 NPQH for the time and effort they have put into preparing for the crucial role of headteacher."

The presentations and a speech will be made by Professor John West-Burnham, director of the International Leadership Centre at the University of Hull, and Simon Morris, a previous NPQH graduate, now headteacher at Esher Church of England High School.

The NPQH is delivered across the South-East by Education Management South East (EMSE) based at the Kings Hill Institute, University of Greenwich.

Jan Carter, centre manager, said: "It's a real pleasure to host the graduation ceremony for so many successful candidates.

"These candidates have demonstrated a range of leadership skills and qualities and I fully appreciate the amount of hard work and effort required to enable them to achieve 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 region."

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 to complete, depending on previous experience.

A total of 685 teachers in the South-East have completed NPQH with the EMSE since it began in 1997.

Teachers from East and West Sussex graduating on Saturday include:

Anne-Marie Bateman, The Causeway School, Eastbourne.

Penny Bigwood, Elphinstone Primary School, Hastings.

Beverley Blanch, Holy Cross C of E School, Uckfield.

Richard Bradford, Falmer High School, Brighton.

Martin Brown, Hazelwick School, Three Bridges, Crawley.

Michelle Clifford, St James's C of E Primary School, Coldwaltham, Pulborough.

David Cowley, Bexhill High School, Bexhill.

Jane Cresswell, Bewbush First School, Crawley.

Jill Dawson, St Andrew's, Nuthurst Horsham.

Stephen Dommett, Sackville Community College, East Grinstead.

Mark Deacon, Durrington High School, Worthing.

Geoff Evans, Uckfield Community College, Uckfield.

Donna Garfield, Littlehaven Infant School, Horsham.

Robert Gibson, Ringmer Community College, Ringmer, Lewes.

Nicola Harrison, Nutley Church of England Primary School, Nutley, Uckfield.

Andrea Hazeldine, Uckfield Community College, Uckfield.

Hugh Hennebry, The Forest School, Horsham.

Julie Hodgson, Barnham Primary School, Barnham, Bognor.

Wayne Jones, Eastbourne Technology College, Eastbourne.

Susan Kelly, Sackville School, East Grinstead.

Ray Knight, Uplands School, Hollingdean, Brighton.

Tracy Kopusto, Marshlands Primary School, Hailsham.

Karen Lees, Varndean School, Brighton.

Graham McArthur, Warninglid County Primary School, Haywards Heath .

Chris McClelland, Ifield County First School, Ifield, Crawley.

Elizabeth Mair, Thornberry Middle School, Lancing.

Nicola Northen, Little Common School, Bexhill.

Richard Parrish, The Holy Trinity C of E School, Gossops Green, Crawley.

Frances Pass, Eastbourne Technology College, Eastbourne.

Anna Reid, Willingdon Primary School, Willingdon, Eastbourne.

Aileen Rickard, Seaford Head Community College, Seaford.

John Rivers, St Paul's C of E School, St Leonards.

Yvonne Royle, St Peter's C of E Primary School, Cowfold, Horsham.

Sarah Searle-Barnes, Shoreham Beach Community First School, Shoreham.

Christine Smith, Lavant C of E Primary School, Lavant Chichester.

Trevor Smith, Sangers County Junior School, Horley.

Rob Upton, Harlands Primary School, Uckfield.

Kai Vacher, Imberhorne School, East Grinstead.

Ann Walton, Herstmonceux C of E Primary School, Herstmonceaux, Hailsham.

Paul Wright, Gossops Green Community Middle School, Crawley.