The Sunday Times has published its “Private School Pay List”, revealing the salaries of leaders in some of the country’s top independent schools.
Figures relating to 200 schools showed that the number of staff earning £100,000 or more has risen by 25 per cent in two years – perhaps reflecting the increased responsibility of leaders and managers with institutions expanding abroad.
According to accounts submitted to the Charity Commission, Eton College led the way with 47 staff earning a six-figure sum. At Harrow, there were 16 staff in this top tier and there were 12 at Brighton College.
The research found that 470 staff at the 200 schools were paid more than £100,000, a 24.2 per cent increase from 376 two years earlier.
The study found that 45 independent school staff were paid more than £200,000 a year.
One head teacher who spoke to The Sunday Times stressed that there was a clear link between private school salaries and performance.
Independent schools have been subject to criticism for offering high pay despite being charities, but there has also been extensive media coverage of high leadership salaries in the state sector.
Sir Daniel Moynihan, who leads the Harris Federation of 50 academy schools, has received an annual package of more than £500,000 for several years. Other academy chief executives are known to earn between £200,000 and £300,000 a year.
