Tower Hamlets said head teachers “played a key role” in the borough’s increasing grades pic: Judy Baxter

A total of 17 school staff in Tower Hamlets earn six-figure salaries, more than in any other London borough.

A total of 200 head teachers across London schools earn over £100,000 a year, with twelve of the highest earners being paid more than £150,000 a year, new figures show.

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets council said: “Investing in the best possible education for our children and young people is paramount to give them the best possible start in life.

Tower Hamlets faces some of the highest levels of child poverty in the country, and the council believe that paying head teachers and other school staff is a key way to “provide young people with the tools to overcome these barriers.”

Results showed that 2011 GCSE results in the borough were showing improvement on previous years. Tower Hamlets is the borough with the second most improved grades in the country, after Darlington, and currently 38 in school grade tables, moving up 72 places in the national rankings.

The council spokesperson went on to say that recent achievements were thanks to head teachers who “played a key role” in the borough’s increasing grades.

Head teacher recruitment salary ranges are normally set by school governors and based on factors such as how many pupils attend the school, and additional
responsibilities.