There will be an info session ("tea session") early in the year. Recently it has been on Zoom for obvious reasons. The invitations are sent very early in the year, and actual info/tea sessions are around Feb/March. Afterwhich it will work somewhat similarly to open posting - you will be invited to view the list of available positions and rank your preferences. If they are interested to take you, they will reach out to you for interviews, and you will get offer(s) which you can choose to accept or not. The whole fHQ posting exercise should end by mid-year, and the posting is effective the following calendar year (i.e. if you go through the fHQ process this year, you'll move over in Jan 2022).

You'll know if you are on track for this. It is triggered by either a certain scholar status (usually TS(O) and above), or having at least a certain CEP while under a certain age.

Could I ask what CEP is needed? is P7 enough? Or must be P6 at least?

Not too sure, since HR is not fully transparent about it. We believe that the goalposts are not fixed. But it definitely needs to be outstanding, not just slightly above average.

Senior management will know (SLs etc), but it's not appropriate for them to say. Anyway, the more "reliable" factor is scholar status haha. Overseas scholars, Education Merit Scholars, PSC (Teaching) scholars will go through facilitated HQ posting to enter HQ around their 3rd to 5th year of service.

For the rest, it will depend on how far ahead of the curve you are.

Don't peg your perceived career prospects or even self-worth to things like FHQ, FLP, etc. If you get the privilege of being on those tracks, great. If you don't, know that there are still many other doors open for a fulfilling career (including good salary progression). You can still go to HQ through Open Posting, and build your networks while there. You can still go to a different school where the environment better recognises and supports your aspirations, and has vacancies for you to move up the ladder. It's not healthy to keep comparing to others who have scholar privileges or given a red carpet to the fast track - you can't change it anyway. The system is not 100% fair, and it can never possibly be, but it is kind to people who are kind to themselves.

Just seeking advice on whether I should stay in current school or move on.
Being in the current school for 3 years as SH and will take on HOD-ship next year, taking over from someone who left the school. Went through HQ for 3 years through open posting before joining current school.
The previous HOD who left and who is my RO told me that my CEP has always been 'good and healthy' and told me to continue to stay on if I wish to move up the leadership ladder.
However, I've been with the school for some time now. Wouldn't that limit my progression?
Not sure if I should continue on or move to other schools to learn new things.

Do you feel like you are still learning new things in your current school? Are you interested in the new HOD portfolio that is offered to you? If so, you should stay on and complete at least your 2 years as a HOD, especially since the vacancy is open. Going elsewhere may not guarantee that a HOD or equivalent position is vacant for you, and as a result you may be stuck at your current level if you forgo this opportunity in your current school. Anyway, with a new environment always comes new uncertainties (for better or for worse).

Leave if you have doubts. Learn elsewhere and take up opportunities elsewhere.

I would say move on with your HOD-ship next year. Keep to the portfolio for 3 years then apply for open posting elsewhere if you want to thereafter.

Thanks for the advice. Thinking possibly of that too.
My former RO seems to hint to me that the school is grooming me further, but I'm not sure true or not and whether it is possible with saturation everywhere.