Increase in heads being paid six-figure salaries

There is a rising number of headteachers being paid six-figure salaries, Tes has reported.

According to government statistics, around 1,300 heads received at least £100,000 in 2016.

The data also reveals that 700 headteachers, including executive heads, were earning between £100,000 and £109,999 at the end of 2016.

Six hundred were receiving pay packets worth over £110,000.

In comparison, the year before, there were 700 earning £100,000-109,999, and 500 in the over £110,000 bracket.

The figures show that the majority of heads earning the six-figure wages were working in the secondary opposed to primary - 900 compared with 400.

The average headteacher's salary – taking into account all state schools – has risen slightly to £68,300, from £67,300 the year before.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said: "It is deeply concerning to see the number of headteachers on six-figure salaries increasing while teachers' pay is being held back and is not keeping pace with inflation.

"These statistics should provide a wake-up call to government to end the practice of schools paying headteachers what they want whilst paying teachers what they can get away with.”