Paying headteachers above the headteacher group

Be clear on what your board needs to do to pay your headteacher above the headteacher group salary range, and the reasons why you might do this.

Last reviewed on 19 October 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 5372
Contents
  1. You can decide to pay above the group range
  2. 1. Setting the pay range above the headteacher group
  3. 2. Granting temporary payments
  4. Cap increase at 25% above the group range except in 'exceptional circumstances'

You can decide to pay above the group range

There are 2 ways that headteachers employed under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) can be paid more than their headteacher group range:

  1. Setting their pay range above the headteacher group range
  2. Temporary additional payments

The 'relevant body' is ultimately responsible for decisions on leadership pay. The 'relevant body' is almost always the governing board in maintained schools. In academies, it may either be the board of trustees or a local governing body, so check your scheme of delegation to find out.

The STPCD applies to: 

  • Headteachers in maintained schools
  • Headteachers whose employment transferred to an academy at the point of conversion

Academies can set their own pay and conditions for new staff, or renegotiate for existing staff, but they may choose to follow the STPCD.

1. Setting the pay range