Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

1 2 3

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Education

Independant school teachers. Can you help?!

53 replies

abitwobbly · 30/03/2011 21:25

I am a state school AST, top of my scale and fed up of paper, paper PAPER!
DS is at a lovely prep and I would love a job there. Am I mad to give them my CV?? It would be if they didn't want me :(
Friends say I'm mad, end of my career etc... but I want to teach in the ethos I believe in for my DS IYSWIM?
Would there be a fee reduction for DS if I did teach at his school?
Would you wait to see if they ever advertise or go for the CV now??

Any advice???

OP posts:

Report

jonicomelately · 30/03/2011 21:27

I'm not a teacher but just wondering whereabouts in the country you are?

abitwobbly · 30/03/2011 21:38

Why do you ask?? oooooo do you know me in RL??!! :)

OP posts:

jigglebum · 30/03/2011 21:56

Make sure you can spell independent first before you think of applying!!

Have taught in both state and independent sector (albeit at secondary level) and would choose independent every time and hope by the time DS attends secondary school I will be working somewhere he could get a fee reduction for (as we could never afford full fees) There is normally a fee reduction for staff

No harm in giving the prep school your son attends your CV - even if there are no vacancies they will often keep them on file for a year in case.

You may well find it hard to go back into the state sector after being in the prep arena, but at a guess you won't want to!

There are probably lots of prep schools within your area (if you drive) and teachers have to give notice by at least a term before in the independent sector so will be advertising for Sep soon so now is a good time to start looking at the TES

Hope this helps

abitwobbly · 30/03/2011 22:04

Woops! Thanks jigglebum!! Could your DS not join your current school?

OP posts:

crazycarol · 30/03/2011 22:23

My mum taught in both sectors (secondary) but says she prefers private every time. In the state school she had to teach the kids but in the private sector the kids wanted to learn. She was at a very good selective private school though. At lots of private schools children of teachers (but not other staff) get fee reductions but it varies and isn't always published, although usually available with information pack from school if applying for specific job. I have seen up to 75% reduction! (I wish I was a teacher!). There also tends to be less of the "red tape" that is tied up with teaching the national curriculum but there is always some paperwork.

amerryscot · 30/03/2011 22:25

Fee reductions are specific to individual schools. They seem to vary from nothing to almost full fees.

If you want a job at a particular school you have to focus on what that school offers rather than what you don't like about your current school. For a prep school, a desire to get involved in the full life of the school, eg games coaching, goes down well.

What is your subject?

abitwobbly · 30/03/2011 22:34

I have spend 6 years on developing curriculum, school ethos improving under performance in local schools......not the sort of thing I can see a great prep needing??!!

I have seen adverts for other local preps but they wouldn't suit DS so I am really really keen on his prep. It seems a little forward to give the head my CV and I get the impression they appoint teachers from prep schools rather than state schools.

They also know what my role is and I think this may worry them as I know from what I have seen and heard, some aspects of T&L are not as strong as they would like. The care and personal development of pupils is outstanding though. It is this I love about it.

OP posts:

amerryscot · 31/03/2011 05:38

I think that if a vacancy arises, they will put an ad in the TES.

Most independent schools have a term's notice, so any vacancies should arise very early next term.

senua · 31/03/2011 08:42

Next time you see the Head or Chair of Governors HR committee or whatever, can't you 'engineer' a conversation? Dip a toe in the water that way, rather than a full-blown approach with CV. You could even pretend that you were applying to another independent (that you couldn't possibly name, due to confidentiality) and ask for 'advice'.

jigglebum · 31/03/2011 08:55

The school I used to work in, before we moved, gave a 70% reduction on fees for the children of FT staff. Worth A LOT of money! I am hoping to be back to FT teaching in a school like this by the time DS gets there ( I am only doing bits and pieces of cover at the moment)

I think Senua's idea is a sound one - have to say that the independent sector jobs are a lot about being in the right place at the right time and having a "face that fits" in my experience. Make yourself known, volunteer to help out at various things/trips etc that your son's school does etc. All helps raise your profile

jonicomelately · 31/03/2011 09:44

No I don't know you in real life

It's just because I've seen a couple of jobs recently advertised and going to link them for you

abitwobbly · 31/03/2011 14:47

Thank-you ladies. Great advice. I might have to work on my face and wardrobe then!

OP posts:

manicinsomniac · 31/03/2011 15:36

Go for it! I work in independent and have n idea why it should be the end of your career - there are plenty of independent schools around.

Definitely no harm in giving the school your CV, though I wouldn't necessarily expect anything to come of it as most schools will advertise job vacancies. However, it shows you're keen.

Where I work there is an 85-90% fee reduction for full time academic staff. Not eerywhere is that good but many are and I would have thought you'd get at least 50%.

MikeRotch · 31/03/2011 15:40

dent

you need to learn to spell first ;)

michaelaB · 31/03/2011 18:11

Send your CV and send it to others as well. They don't have to advertise and will often follow up speculative applications.

abitwobbly · 01/04/2011 17:28

Thank's michaelaB and manicinsomniac. My only slight concern is with all the changes in state education about to happen - free schools, academy schools etc. Will this impact on private schools? Would my pension be effected??

OP posts:

amerryscot · 01/04/2011 20:07

Most private schools use the Teacher Pension Agency, so you should just be able to continue as you are.

Be careful about any private school dabbling with the Free School initiative or any school making major changes to its admission policy.

amerryscot · 01/04/2011 20:11

Btw, I don't think it is very tasteful to correct spelling and grammar on web forums, and I am by no means perfect, but private schools are very picky. Read everything over three times and get someone else to do the same.

You pension scheme is effected when you retire.

amerryscot · 01/04/2011 20:12

Your :)

MikeRotch · 01/04/2011 21:01

Pension will be affected. Not effected. Sheesh

goingmadinthecountry · 01/04/2011 21:36

Thanks not thank's as well. Too many spelling/grammar mistakes for mere typos. As a teacher myslef, it's a major gripe of mine.

goingmadinthecountry · 01/04/2011 21:36

Myself obv - dd jumped on my knee as I was typing

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 02/04/2011 15:27

I love correcting other people's typos. No teaching qualifications whatsoever, but could I get a job in an independent school?

MikeRotch · 02/04/2011 15:50

Lol

empirestateofmind · 02/04/2011 17:02

In my experience it is easier to get a job at an independent school first (then get your children in) than to be seen as a parent first.

Flip

1 2 3

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.