How much does an assistant headteacher earn?
Assistant headteacher is the first rung of the leadership group, and the pay reflects that. Most AHT posts are advertised somewhere between L4 and L14 on the leadership spine, with the exact range depending on phase, school size and the scope of the portfolio.
| Setting | Typical ISR | Salary range |
|---|---|---|
| Small primary (Group 1–2) | L3 – L9 | £56,298 – £65,278 |
| Average primary (Group 3) | L4 – L10 | £57,699 – £66,956 |
| Large primary (Group 4) | L6 – L12 | £60,619 – £70,275 |
| Small secondary (Group 5) | L6 – L12 | £60,619 – £70,275 |
| Average secondary (Group 6) | L8 – L14 | £63,688 – £73,827 |
| Large secondary (Group 7–8) | L10 – L16 | £66,956 – £77,676 |
These are observed patterns across the sector, not statutory figures. The definitive range for any post is published in the advert and in the school's pay policy. Full spine values for all four England regions are on the leadership pay scale page.
Assistant head pay across the regions
| Point | Rest of England | Fringe | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L4 | £57,699 | £59,185 | £61,955 | £67,832 |
| L6 | £60,619 | £62,102 | £64,871 | £70,754 |
| L8 | £63,688 | £65,166 | £67,940 | £73,824 |
| L10 | £66,956 | £68,435 | £71,207 | £77,086 |
| L12 | £70,275 | £71,759 | £74,530 | £80,411 |
| L14 | £73,827 | £75,310 | £78,074 | £83,960 |
Assistant head teacher salaries in London and Wales
Location changes the range more than almost anything else except school size. An inner London primary typically advertises its assistant headship between L6 and L12, which is worth £70,754 to £80,411 — about £10,100 more than the equivalent rest-of-England post. Outer London sits between the two. Wales uses its own IWPRB-negotiated advisory spine.
| Setting | Typical ISR | Inner London value | Outer London value | Wales advisory value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (L6 – L10) | L6 – L10 | £70,754 – £77,086 | £64,871 – £71,207 | £61,683 – £68,126 |
| Secondary (L8 – L14) | L8 – L14 | £73,824 – £83,960 | £67,940 – £78,074 | £64,804 – £75,120 |
Wales sets its own leadership arrangements through the IWPRB. The published 2026/27 figures are advisory pending the statutory document, so check the employer's pay policy before comparing an offer. Recruitment listings dominate the London results because so many posts are advertised there — the DfE's Teaching Vacancies service carries most of them.
Is the step into leadership worth it?
This is the single most important financial question for anyone considering an assistant headship, and the answer is genuinely not always yes.
The top of the upper pay range is £52,835. A TLR 2 adds between £3,651 and £8,913; a TLR 1 adds between £10,531 and £17,819. A head of department on U3 with a mid-range TLR 1 is therefore earning around £66,000 — comfortably more than an assistant head on L8.
| Position | Base | Allowance | Total gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| U3 + TLR 2 (mid) | £52,835 | £6,281 | £59,116 |
| U3 + TLR 1 (min) | £52,835 | £10,531 | £63,365 |
| U3 + TLR 1 (mid) | £52,835 | £14,175 | £67,010 |
| Assistant head L6 | £60,619 | — | £60,619 |
| Assistant head L10 | £66,956 | — | £66,956 |
| Assistant head L14 | £73,827 | — | £73,827 |
What changes when you join the leadership group
The pay change is only part of the picture. Joining the leadership group changes your conditions of service in ways that are easy to overlook.
- Directed time no longer applies. The 1,265-hour annual limit covers classroom teachers only.
- Guaranteed PPA time stops being an entitlement. Most AHTs still get non-contact time, but it is negotiated rather than protected.
- Progression becomes discretionary. You move up your ISR on sustained high performance, not annually.
- Your range is capped. Once you reach the top of a seven-point ISR the only route up is a wider range or a new post.
- Accountability broadens. You are judged on whole-school outcomes, not just your subject or phase.
Typical assistant head portfolios
The scope of the portfolio is the main justification governors use when setting the range at the higher end. Common briefs include teaching and learning, behaviour and attitudes, safeguarding and designated safeguarding lead duties, curriculum and assessment, inclusion and SEND, sixth form or key stage leadership, and staff development and ECT induction.
A portfolio carrying statutory responsibility — designated safeguarding lead in particular — generally supports a higher range than a purely developmental brief.
What assistant head pay is worth after deductions
Leadership salaries span the 9.9%, 10.5% and 11.6% pension tiers and take a large slice of income into the 40% tax band, so the net figure moves more slowly than the gross.
| Point | Salary | Pension tier | Approx. monthly take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| L4 | £57,699 | 9.9% | £3,383 |
| L6 | £60,619 | 10.5% | £3,491 |
| L8 | £63,688 | 10.5% | £3,624 |
| L10 | £66,956 | 10.5% | £3,764 |
| L12 | £70,275 | 10.5% | £3,907 |
| L14 | £73,827 | 10.5% | £4,060 |
Moving from L12 to L14 is a gross rise of £3,552 and a net gain of about £153 a month. Both points remain in the 10.5% pension tier. Crossing £76,572.99 at L16 shifts a full-time member to 11.6%, and that 1.1 percentage point increase applies to the entire pensionable salary, not just the part above the threshold.
It is worth putting the comparison the other way round too. A head of department on U3 with a mid-range TLR 1 takes home about £3,777 a month — more than an assistant head at L10 on £3,763, despite the leadership title.
How to get an assistant headship
Assistant headships attract strong fields, and the selection process looks for evidence of impact beyond your own classroom or department. Most successful candidates arrive from a substantial TLR post.
What appointment panels look for
- Impact beyond your own team. Whole-school work, cross-phase projects, or leading an initiative outside your subject.
- Data literacy. Being able to interrogate school performance data and explain what you would do about it.
- Developing other adults. Coaching, mentoring ECTs, running CPD that changed practice.
- Strategic thinking. Evidence you can plan over three years, not just one term.
- Safeguarding credibility. Many AHT posts carry deputy DSL duties, so relevant training matters.
Qualifications and preparation
There is no mandatory qualification for assistant headship. The NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) is the most commonly held and is well regarded, but it is not a requirement and panels weigh demonstrated impact more heavily than certificates. Acting-up opportunities, secondments and trust-wide projects are often more persuasive than a course.
Negotiating your starting point
The single most valuable thing you can do is ask, before accepting, where in the range you would start and what the criteria for progression are. Schools frequently appoint at the bottom of the ISR by default, but a strong internal or experienced candidate can often start a point or two higher. Once you have signed, the only route up is the annual review cycle.
Progressing beyond assistant headship
Most assistant heads either progress within their ISR, move to a larger school for a wider range, or step up to deputy headship. The step to deputy is typically four to six spine points — see deputy headteacher pay for the detail.
Because the Teachers' Pension Scheme is career average, every year at a higher salary permanently increases your retirement income, so the timing of the step up matters more than it would under a final-salary scheme. Guidance on securing progression is in the guide to moving up the leadership pay scale.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an assistant head teacher earn in London?
An inner London assistant head typically earns between £70,754 and £83,960 depending on whether the post is primary (usually L6 to L10) or secondary (usually L8 to L14). Outer London posts pay roughly £64,871 to £78,074 at the same points. The premium over the rest of England is around £10,100 gross at each point.
How much does an assistant head teacher earn?
Most assistant headteachers earn between £57,699 and £73,827 in the rest of England for 2026/27. Primary AHTs typically sit between L4 and L10, and secondary AHTs between L6 and L14 on the leadership spine. Inner London adds roughly £10,000 to £11,000.
What L point is an assistant head teacher?
There is no fixed point. Typical individual school ranges start around L3 to L6 and top out between L10 and L16, depending on school size and the scope of the portfolio. Larger secondary schools tend to set higher ranges than small primaries.
Is assistant head better paid than a head of department?
Not always. A head of department on U3 with a mid-range TLR 1 earns around £67,010, which is more than an assistant head on L10 (£66,956). Compare the total package including allowances before assuming leadership pays more.
Do assistant heads still teach?
Almost always, yes. Most assistant headteachers retain a substantial teaching timetable, particularly in primary schools where an AHT may still be a full-time class teacher with a leadership allowance built into their range.
Do assistant heads get PPA time?
Not as a statutory entitlement. Guaranteed PPA and the 1,265-hour directed time limit apply to classroom teachers only. Leadership group members negotiate non-contact time with their headteacher, but it is not legally protected.
What is the average assistant head teacher salary in the UK?
Most assistant heads in England earn between £57,699 and £73,827 in the rest of England for 2026/27, with typical primary AHTs on L4 to L10 and secondary AHTs on L6 to L14. Inner London adds about £10,100 at the same spine points. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use separate arrangements.
Is an assistant head higher than a head of year?
In pay terms not necessarily. A head of year is a middle leader paid on the main or upper range plus a TLR, while an assistant head is on the leadership spine. A U3 head of year with a large TLR 1 can out-earn an assistant head on a low point, but the assistant head role carries whole-school accountability and leadership group conditions.
How do you get promoted from assistant to deputy head?
Usually by applying for a deputy post, often at a different school. Internal promotion happens but is less common because it requires a vacancy. The step is typically four to six spine points, worth around £6,000 to £10,000 gross.
Sources
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