My View: Head's bonus is fine – but let's weed out the teachers who are failing

However, I find myself having some sympathy this morning with the Lewisham head teacher who is being castigated for earning more than 200,000 in a year.

There is no arguing that this is a massive salary and one we would all dearly love. But when broken down his actual salary was about 80,000 and then a hefty bonus and back pay. I did balk at the idea of him getting overtime, as to me that is part and parcel of being

a teacher.

Apparently, he is one of 100 head-teachers earning more than 150,000 a year, revealed by the GMB union.

However, the main issue is whether they deserve it.

This man worked in an inner city primary school with nearly 400 pupils, most of whom did not have English as their first language.

When he took over in 2001, his school, Tidemill Primary, was on Ofsted's list of failing schools. Seven years later, it was judged outstanding. The head, Mark Elms, also works with other schools in the area facing "challenging circumstances".

It is no secret that schools in inner city London find it incredibly difficult to attract any teachers, let alone

high calibre ones who can inspire fellow teachers and pupils alike.

What I am more interested in is the reported 15,000 staff in our children's schools who are substandard.

Former chief inspector of schools Chris Woodhead estimates about five per cent of teachers are under-performing and yet only 18 have been removed from their posts in 40 years. Their combined pay will make up a lot more than 200,000 a year and yet governing bodies and local authorities are scared to tackle them.

It is easy to get carried away by headline figures but it is the substance underneath that is important. If Mr Woodhead's figures are to be believed, there are thousands of our children being let down every year by poor teaching, surely effort would better spent dealing with them rather than criticising a headteacher for actually helping and inspiring the children in his care.

Parents have been quick to jump to Mr Elms's defence. And quite rightly so. They know their chances of succeeding in an ever more challenging economic climate is down to good education.

If these highly paid teachers are not delivering then they should be sacked. Simple as that. But if they are achieving and helping future generations then let them get on with it.