Headteacher recruitment in the UK is reaching crisis point with experts predicting that applications will not rise in the immediate future, despite the offer of record salaries.

A study by Education Data Surveys found that one in three schools were unable to appoint a new headteacher when the position was first advertised, while the rate of re-advertising had grown by 33%.

Despite the lure of record salaries, which have soared to £100,000 outside London, schools are unlikely to see any significant increase in applications over the next decade, as around half of headteachers who are aged over 50 are heading for retirement.

Russell Hobby, head of education at management consultancy, Hay Group, attributed the shortfall to increased government initiatives which have resulted in a change in headteachers’ job descriptions.

“Headteachers are now required to be chief executives with the all the business management skills and accountability associated with that role.

"However, a lot of them still like teaching. We’re finding that deputy head roles, where you get a reasonable income and have less outside exposure, are preferred,” he said.