Understanding Head Teacher Salary UK 2026/27

If you are considering a career as a headteacher or are involved in school budget planning, knowing the latest head teacher salary UK figures is essential. Headteacher pay is not a single number – it varies widely by school size, location and the leadership group assigned to the school. This guide covers the official 2026/27 pay scales, how to convert annual salary to an hourly rate, and what part-time headteachers can expect.

Headteacher Salary Ranges 2026/27

The Department for Education publishes annual pay ranges for headteachers in England. From September 2026, the minimum starting salary for a headteacher in England (excluding London) is £60,619, rising to a maximum of £148,829. In Inner London, the range is £70,754 to £158,863. These figures come from the GOV.UK Get Into Teaching service and reflect the 2026 award.

Regional Variations

London weighting significantly boosts headteacher pay. The table below summarises the minimum and maximum for each region:

• England (excluding London): £60,619 – £148,829
• London fringe: £62,102 – £150,301
• Outer London: £64,871 – £153,042
• Inner London: £70,754 – £158,863

These are the overall ranges for the leadership spine. Individual schools operate within narrower bands determined by their headteacher group.

Headteacher Groups and Pay Scales

A school’s headteacher group is calculated from its total unit score, which takes into account pupil numbers weighted by key stage. The higher the group, the higher the salary range. For 2026/27, the advisory pay points for each group in rest of England are:

• Group 1 (L6–L12): £60,619 – £70,275
• Group 2 (L8–L14): £63,688 – £73,827
• Group 3 (L11–L17): £68,691 – £79,460
• Group 4 (L14–L20): £73,827 – £85,547
• Group 5 (L18–L24): £81,457 – £94,349
• Group 6 (L21–L27): £87,664 – £101,540
• Group 7 (L24–L30): £94,349 – £109,291
• Group 8 (L28–L34): £104,059 – £120,532

These ranges are from the uk-teacherpaycalculator.co.uk analysis of the 2026 award. The lowest leadership point (L1) is £53,586 and the highest (L43) is £148,829, but most headteachers fall within the group ranges above.

Converting Headteacher Salary to Hourly Rate

To understand the head teacher salary UK in hourly terms, you can divide the annual salary by the number of contracted hours per week multiplied by 52 weeks. For teaching staff, a standard full-time week is often assumed to be 37.5 hours (though headteachers may work more). Using this assumption:

• A headteacher on £70,275 (Group 1 maximum) earns approximately £36.04 per hour.
• A headteacher on £94,349 (Group 5 maximum) earns approximately £48.38 per hour.
• A headteacher on £120,532 (Group 8 maximum) earns approximately £61.81 per hour.

These figures are gross and do not account for pension contributions, tax or National Insurance. Use our Hourly to Salary calculator to convert any annual figure to an hourly rate based on your own hours.

Part-Time Headteachers and Pro-Rata Pay

Headteachers can work part-time, though it is less common than in other teaching roles. The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) states that part-time teachers, including headteachers, must be paid on a pro-rata basis. This means their salary is calculated as a proportion of the full-time equivalent based on the school’s timetabled teaching week.

For example, if a full-time headteacher’s salary is £80,000 and they work 0.6 of a full-time timetable, their annual salary would be £48,000. The hourly rate remains the same as the full-time rate. This ensures fairness and consistency. If you are considering a part-time headship, check your contract and the school’s policy. More details are available in our salary articles on part-time work.

Tax, Pension and Take-Home Pay

Headteachers in England are members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). Contribution rates are tiered based on salary. For 2026/27, typical rates are:

• Up to £70,275: 10.5%
• £70,276 to £104,059: 11.6%
• Above £104,059: 12%

Pension contributions are deducted from gross salary before income tax, reducing your taxable income. For a headteacher on £85,000 (Group 5), the take-home pay after pension, income tax and National Insurance is approximately £53,941 per year, or £4,495 per month. Income tax is calculated on the reduced salary: the personal allowance of £12,570, then 20% on the next £37,700, and 40% on the remainder.

Comparing Headteacher Pay to UK Benchmarks

The median full-time gross annual salary in the UK is around £39,039 (ONS ASHE). Even the lowest headteacher salary (£53,586) is well above this, placing headteachers in the top 10-15% of earners. A headteacher on £85,000 earns about 118% above the UK median, putting them in the top 5% of earners nationally.

Final Thoughts

The head teacher salary UK landscape for 2026/27 shows a profession with significant earning potential, especially for those leading larger schools or working in London. Pay is determined by a transparent group system, and part-time roles are compensated fairly on a pro-rata basis. For more detailed salary data and comparisons, visit our salary data page.

Always refer to the official School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and your employer for the most accurate figures. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to see how your potential headteacher salary translates into an hourly rate.