Advice needed PLEASE!! - Distance Educational Management Masters - worth it?

[andwhatnow]

I would welcome any help and advice. I qualified as a primary teacher 8 years ago and have been a Deputy Head for 2 years. I hold an English Lit Degree and obviously a PGCE. I am considering doing a Masters in Education - Leadership and Management through the OU as I work full time. Reasons for: I love to learn and feel I need to get my teeth into something (although realistically I admit its half term and I am feeling more energetic than normal!!), I obviously have learned so much 'on the job' but feel that a Masters would give me a deeper knowledge and make me stand out more if and when I move on to another school- my plan in future years is also to teach/lead abroad so wonder if this would help at all?
Reasons against: cost - I can afford it as long as I am able to pay through the OUSBA account which hopefully I will be able to, although it is obviously still a substantial outlay and I don't want to feel that I am doing it for the sake of it. I wonder whether it will make a difference to my career?

I am certainly set on further CPD and my only other thoughts are to do a Graduate Diploma in TESOL (due to desire to teach abroad). I know this can contribute to a Masters, but actually, I could probably do that after the Masters as I am looking to stay in England for at least the next 5 years. I'm 37 by the way.

Please give your opinions and advice!!

Thank you

Hello!
I am a teacher too, but just want to share a route taken by a very successful vp in a local grammar school. He has almost completed a distance learning / part time pg at Oxford University. I haven't checked out fees, commitment or workload, but I know he would go there for, say, a week at a time or long weekends and this took three years.
I know there are many institutions to choose from, but reputation still counts for a lot. Maybe the fact I live in Ireland, there is more of a wow factor, but still, he has now accepted a job as principal in a bigger and very prestigious school.
Good luck!
Katkat

Would it not be an idea to look at the NPQH course? You will NEED this to be a Headteacher. You will not need an MA - although nice to have.

have a look at birm uni. im halfway through my MEd via distance learning there.