bursarsdesk.co.uk
Salary : segment

Faith school bursar salary

A bursar in a UK faith school in 2025/26 typically sits in a £36,000 to £60,000 base-salary band, broadly tracking the maintained-school SBM range. The structure of the trust deed, the relationship with the diocese and the school's designation (voluntary-aided, voluntary-controlled or academy) shape the precise band.

The band

C of E, Catholic and Jewish schools account for the majority of faith schools in England. C of E and Catholic academies are normally part of diocesan multi-academy trusts and follow the MAT CFO grading map at trust level, with single-school SBM bursars graded as for any maintained school.[1][2]

VA, VC and academy designation

A voluntary-aided school holds capital responsibility for its buildings through the governing body and the diocese; a voluntary-controlled school does not. That difference materially changes the bursar's estates remit but only modestly affects pay.[3]

Diocesan board and trust deed

The diocesan board of education and the school's trust deed sometimes prescribe specific finance reporting arrangements. A bursar joining a faith school should always ask for the trust deed early in the appointment process.

Sources for this page

[1]
Church of England Education Office sets diocesan policy for C of E schools.
[2]
Catholic Education Service sets sector policy for Catholic schools.
CES
retrieved 2026-06-22
[3]
GOV.UK types of school describes faith-school designations.
GOV.UK
retrieved 2026-06-22
AuthorOliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder, Digital Signet
Verified for academic year 2025/26
Last reviewed 22 June 2026