Understanding Assistant Head Teacher Salary

If you are considering a move into school leadership or are already an assistant head looking at part-time options, knowing how assistant head teacher salary is structured is essential. Unlike classroom teachers, assistant heads are on the leadership pay scale (L1–L43), and their pay is typically quoted as an annual figure. But how does that translate to an hourly rate? And what happens if you work fewer days or hours?

This article explains the key figures for 2026/27, how to convert annual salary to an hourly equivalent, and how part-time pro-rata works. We also cover London weighting and typical ranges for different school sizes.

Annual Salary Ranges for Assistant Heads

According to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), leadership pay points for 2026/27 in the rest of England start at L1 (£53,585) and go up to L43 (over £148,000). The exact point an assistant head is placed on depends on the size of the school, its group, and the individual’s experience. Typical ranges include:

• Small primary (Group 1–2): L3–L9, £56,298–£65,278
• Average primary (Group 3): L4–L10, £57,699–£66,956
• Average secondary (Group 6): L8–L14, £63,688–£73,827
• Large secondary (Group 7–8): L10–L16, £66,956–£77,676

These figures are for the rest of England. Inner London adds roughly £10,000–£12,000 to each point. For example, L6 in Inner London is £70,754 compared to £60,619 outside London.

Hourly Equivalent: What Does It Mean?

Assistant head teachers are salaried professionals, so there is no contractual hourly rate. However, you can calculate an approximate hourly equivalent to compare with other roles or to understand the value of your time. The conversion depends on how many hours you work per week.

A common assumption for full-time teachers is 32.5 hours per week (based on 1,265 directed hours over 39 weeks). For leadership, directed time does not apply, but many schools still use 32.5 hours as the full-time equivalent for pro-rata purposes. Using that assumption:

• L1 (£53,585): £53,585 ÷ (32.5 × 52) ≈ £31.60 per hour
• L6 (£60,619): ≈ £35.80 per hour
• L14 (£73,827): ≈ £43.60 per hour

If you prefer a 37.5-hour week (common in other sectors), the rates are lower: L1 ≈ £27.40 per hour, L6 ≈ £31.00 per hour.

Remember that these are rough estimates. Your actual hourly rate may be higher or lower depending on unpaid overtime, which is common in school leadership.

Part-Time and Pro-Rata Pay

Many assistant heads work part-time, such as a four-day week (0.8 FTE) or a nine-day fortnight (0.9 FTE). The assistant head teacher salary is then pro-rated from the full-time annual figure. For example:

• Full-time L1: £53,585
• 0.8 FTE (four days): £42,868
• 0.9 FTE (nine-day fortnight): £48,227

The pro-rata is usually based on the number of days or hours worked compared to a full-time equivalent. Some contracts use a different FTE definition, so always check your employment contract.

Term-time-only contracts are also possible, where you are paid for the weeks you work plus holiday, spread across the year. Annualised hours contracts divide your yearly hours by 1,690 (32.5 × 52) rather than directed time, which can affect the pro-rata calculation.

London Weighting and Location

Location has a major impact on assistant head teacher salary. The STPCD includes separate pay columns for:

• Inner London (highest)
• Outer London
• London Fringe
• Rest of England (lowest)

For example, L10 in Inner London is £77,086, while in the rest of England it is £66,956 – a difference of over £10,000. Schools in London must pay at least the minimum for the relevant area.

Take-Home Pay Considerations

Your gross annual salary is not what you take home. Deductions include income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions (typically 6–10% for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme). For an assistant head on L1 (£53,585) with a 6% pension contribution, estimated take-home pay is about £39,708 per year (£3,309 per month). Higher pay points mean higher tax and NI, but also higher net income.

For a more detailed breakdown, see our salary articles or use the hourly calculator to convert your own figures.

Caveats and Further Reading

The figures in this article are based on published pay scales for 2026/27 and are estimates. Actual pay may vary by academy trust, local pay policy, or individual negotiation. The GOV.UK national pay scales for eligible teaching occupations list a lower 'Leadership group' minimum of £49,781 – this is used for visa sponsorship and is not the full STPCD scale.

For more data on UK salary benchmarks, visit our salary data page. Always check your contract and official guidance from the Department for Education or your union.

Summary

• Assistant head teacher salary is an annual figure on the L1–L43 leadership scale.
• Full-time L1 (rest of England) is £53,585; hourly equivalent ~£31.60 (32.5 hrs/week).
• Part-time pay is pro-rated; a four-day week reduces salary by 20%.
• London weighting adds £10,000+; school size affects the pay point.
• Take-home pay is lower after tax, NI and pension.

Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions about career progression, part-time work, and relocation.