Put any three heads together and you generally get a lively argument - especially if they have all grown up under the same roof.

Susan Eves and her brothers David and Paul Sharp have become the first sibling act to land top jobs in schools after completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship course.

Eldest brother David, head of a West Yorkshire secondary, admitted that he still likes to take charge in family discussions. He said: “Like all families there is lively banter between us.

“There is a competitive edge to it, but I am the oldest and the cleverest and the most successful and they all know that I am the gaffer.”

Paul, the youngest at 45, said: “My brother likes to play the role of the family elder, but as I am taller than him he has to look up to me.”

Susan, head of a Humberside primary, said: “It must be unique to have three siblings in headship roles. It must be because innately we are natural leaders. We are all very competitive and it is often very interesting when we get together.

“But at the same time we are very supportive of each other. I am proud of my brothers’ achievements and our parents are extremely proud of us.”

David, 52, became principal of Hemsworth Arts and Community College, in Pontefract, in September. At the same time, Paul landed the vice-principal’s job at the 1,200-pupil Merrill College in Derby within a few months of completing his NPQH last summer.

Then Susan, 48, took over as head of Walkington primary, near Beverley, Humberside, in January.

The three grew up in Hull and were the first generation of their family to go to university.

David added: “We are all firm believers in what a good education can do for people and their life chances. We wanted to make the most of those chances and to help younger generations to do the same - that’s what’s motivated us to go into headship.

“We are all believers in collaboration in our professional lives and we do carry that over into our family life. We all feel very positive about the profession.”

Susan and David were among the first batch of candidates to begin NPQH in 1997 and qualified in 1999. Now the high-flying family are encouraging senior teachers who want to be heads to enrol on the NPQH course. Applications must be in by June 11.

www.ncsl.org.uknpqh