An ex-head teacher and his former colleagues could be forced to hand back the money they pocketed illegally as part of a schools’ bonuses scandal.

The High Court found that Alan Davies, the former head teacher at Copland Community School in Wembley, took home “vast sums” in unlawful bonuses for several years.

This included, on one occasion, a salary of £400,000, which was three times the going rate for his position.

Former deputy head teacher Richard Evans, former HR manager Michele McKenzie and former school bursar Columbus Udokoro were also found to have benefitted from the scam.

The High Court ruled that the justification for the payments were “false” and “patently untrue”.

Their actions, which were sanctioned by the former chair of governors, Indravadan Patel, and the former vice chair of governors, Martin Day, cost Brent Council more than £1 million.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of Brent Council, said she was pleased to see the culprits face justice.

She said: “We are delighted with the verdict as it means the money, which had been swindled, will be returned and can now be used for the benefit of local people.

“Davies and his chums were arrogantly paying themselves ridiculously high and unjustified bonuses, including Davies pocketing a whopping £400,000 in one year.

“It has taken years of stamina and determination to win this victory, but justice has finally been done.”

Davies, who had previously been knighted for his services to education, was stripped of his title in 2014 following his conviction for false accounting a year earlier.

In this case, the High Court ruled that Davies, Patel and Day had breached their duties of trust with the council.

Evans, Udokoro and McKenzie were found to have been in knowing receipt of payments arising from those breach of duties.

The exact amount the six must repay will be decided at another court hearing in October.