Headteacher pay progression

Understand how headteacher pay is determined and the rules around pay progression.

Updated
on 26 November 2024
See updates
Ref: 43709
Contents
  1. Headteacher pay progression is decided by the governing board
  2. Set out how pay progression is determined
  3. The final decision must be ratified by the governing board
  4. See what pay progression looks like in practice
  5. Learn how leadership pay is determined 

The rules for determining headteacher pay are set out in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).

Headteacher pay progression is decided by the governing board

Your school’s governing board has a statutory duty to appraise the performance of the headteacher and give recommendations on pay.

Your governing board must:

  • Maintain, update and implement a robust pay policy, which must fully comply with relevant legislation including the STPCD
  • Consider annually whether or not to increase the headteacher’s salary (and by how much), as long as the headteacher has been employed for a full year since the previous pay decision was made

The DfE's model appraisal policy suggests that the governing board appoint a group of 2 or 3 governors to serve as appraisers, supported by an experienced 'external adviser' (page 12). If it wants to do this, the process must be clearly laid out in the pay