The work-shy need not apply

The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers told ministers to look at removing barriers to such appointments amid complaints that teachers are being put off by the bureaucracy and lack of rewards.

So if they decide to allow non-teachers to be recruited into head teacher posts, what could a future applicant expect?

From �40,000 to �100,000

A secondary school head teacher can earn �60,000-�70,000 a year with that rising by up to 15% for London posts.

In some schools, the salary has tipped the �100,000 mark, although this is in no way typical, says Martin Ward, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

In primary schools, a head might earn �40,000-�50,000 a year.

Possibly private health insurance, no company car, but job satisfaction

Actual perks can be few and far between. Company cars are a non-starter, but some schools do offer private health insurance.

"Nevertheless the great majority of all those who do the job enjoy it and find it very rewarding," said Mr Ward, himself a head for 16 years.

"When you see hundreds or thousands of young people making progress, doing well, going on to higher education, getting good jobs - that is very rewarding."

63 hours a week on average

Secondary heads can work a 63-hour week on average, says Mr Ward. There are weeks when working hours can be longer still.

This compares to 56 hours a week on average for doctors, and a UK average of 43.5 hours a week, according to the TUC.

Forget the long summer holidays of your childhood, 30 days a year is more likely

There is something of a myth surrounding head teachers and holidays, says Mr Ward.

Seeing students progress can be one of the biggest perks

"Someone has to be in charge of the institution at all times of the year," he says.

"The long summer holiday does not really exist. By the time they have wound up the previous year, it's not very long until exam results come out and they are back in picking up those who have not done so well."

Therefore, a head can expect three weeks in the summer, a week at Christmas and Easter and a few days off during the three half-term breaks, he says.

Wide-ranging from patrolling the school corridors and taking assembly to leading a team of 100-200 staff

One minute a head could be supervising the bus queue and greeting the children at the start of the day, and the next dealing with underperforming staff or ensuring a school fence has been erected.

Responsibilities vary from disciplining children, motivating and leading a team of up to 200 teachers and support staff, being chief accounting officer and being called to account by inspectors.

They can be personally liable if things go wrong.

On the fun side, there are school plays, concerts, art displays, fashion shows and sports matches to attend.

Leadership, motivational and communication skills, to name a few

The job is well-recognised as one that is stressful and demanding.

Mental strength is a must

It requires people who can be empathetic and strong-minded enough to ensure discipline and maintain order.

They should be resilient, with enough emotional strength to cope with being in such an exposed, and at times vulnerable, position.

Energy, strength and the capacity to work hard are also needed.

Until ministers make a decision, applicants could technically come from any background

The job could in future go to applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, with a lot, little or no experience of the education system.

Business people or financial sector workers with the relevant skills could be encouraged to apply. They could come in as an executive head, possibly above the existing head, a government spokesman said.

At the other end would be people already involved in the education system such as bursars or support staff.

Those with some experience of the education system such as those working in the childcare sector or as a university lecturer may also be considered.

The unions however are expected to insist that only those already in the education system should be allowed to apply, such as bursars.