Hundreds of heads of academy chains are on six-figure salaries – but the pay is justified by their performance, a report claims.
An academies ‘rich list’ compiled by the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA) shows 757 heads of multi-academy trusts (MATs) receive over £100,000 in total remuneration.
However, the research found the ten highest-paid MAT heads managed a total of 290 schools, with 264 rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
The TPA said while public spending should ‘always be scrutinised’, the figures show academy pay is ‘linked to performance’.
The pressure group also hit out at Labour’s ‘assault’ on the sector, following moves in the Schools Bill to cub academies’ freedoms.
Jonathan Eida, researcher at the TPA, said: ‘MAT leaders oversee thousands of students, manage significant budgets, and have a proven track record of turning around struggling schools.
‘Their strong performance in raising standards means many of these pay packets look justified.
‘The Government must recognise that these institutions are largely delivering for taxpayers and should step back from the current assault on their autonomy.’
The highest-paid head was Sir Dan Moynihan of the Harris Federation
Dr Dayo Olukoshi of Brampton Manor Trust brought in £335,000 in 2022-23
The figures, from 2022-23, show the highest-paid head was Sir Dan Moynihan of the Harris Federation, who earned £565,000 in salary and pension contributions.
However, he oversaw 52 schools, of which 49 were rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
He oversaw 40,649 pupils, making the cost per pupil of his remuneration £13.90.
This is also equivalent to £10,865 for each school, per year.
Among the top ten highest-paid is Simon Beamish, chief executive and director of Leigh Academies Trust, whose total remuneration in the same period was £370,000.
Behind him is Dayo Olukoshi of Brampton Manor Trust who brought in £335,000 in 2022-23.
Number four on the list is Delta Academies chief Paul Tarn, who earned £310,768.
The average total remuneration of the 757 academy heads in 2022-23 was £156,491.
Among the top ten highest-paid is Simon Beamish, whose total remuneration was £370,000
Alex Russell of Bourne Education saw £280,000
Number four on the list is Delta Academies chief Paul Tarn, who earned a staggering £310,768
Academies are state schools which are free of council control and report directly to the Department for Education (DfE).
Multi-academy trusts are organisations that run them, with considerable freedoms over day-to-day issues.
Paul West of The Spencer Academies, Ged Fitzpatrick of St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Academy and Carl Ward of City Learning were next on the list, earning £295,000, £287,980 and £282,500 respectively.
And Star Academies chief executive and trustee Hamid Patel brought in £282,500, while Alex Russell of Bourne Education saw £280,000.
Finally, the list’s only woman, Rebecca Boomer-Clark, took tenth place with £275,000 in annual earnings.
The academies programme was expanded greatly under the Tories as they favoured less state interference.
However, Labour’s bill would make them follow the national curriculum, employ qualified teachers and keep to national teacher pay rules.
Paul West of The Spencer Academies earned £295,000
Carl Ward of City Learning earned £282,500
Ged Fitzpatrick of St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Academy earned £287,980
The Government has not specifically taken aim at academy heads’ pay, however.
A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘This Government is working alongside our vital academy trusts to drive high and rising standards for every child, so that wherever families live, they will have a good local school for their child.
‘Our landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and Plan for Change help deliver on this mission, getting high-quality teachers into every classroom, and ensuring there is a floor on pay and no ceiling, so all teachers can rely on a core offer and all schools can innovate to attract and retain the best talent.’
It is understood there are no measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools bill that would limit the pay of heads of academies.
A spokesperson for St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Multi-Academy Trust said: ‘When our former CEO, Ged Fitzpatrick, left in August 2023, it gave Directors the opportunity to reconsider the roles and responsibilities of the Trust’s senior leadership team.
‘A full benchmarking exercise was also undertaken against the evolved job description.
‘Our new CEO’s renumeration package is 50 per cent of that of the previous CEO.’
MailOnline has also contacted the other multi-academy trusts for comment.
