Negatives of moving from state to private secondary

[MovingtoEssex]

I have been offered an interview. I'm old and expensive so this is a great start.
I need a change from current toxic management, but really am committed to state education. This new job just fits every other criteria.
On paper everything looks good, but I'm thinking ahead to the negatives and what I should be asking at interview.

The pension is a concern. If not TPS, can I return to this if I change jobs again? I have almost 20 years service part time.
Pay scales - currently UPS3. Job just advertised as schools own scale.
Returning to state - is teaching in private schools viewed negatively by state ones?
Need to know extra commitments beyond teaching hours.
What else?
Thank you!

[JuliaHulia]

I've been working in private schools for the last 4 years having come from state. I am going back to state and yes, you just start contributing to your TPS again. The pension schemes in non TPS schools tend to be good for private pensions but not good compared to TPS.
Depending on the school you may well find that their own scale is lower than the state sector- particularly smaller schools. I think the big hitters pay well but my experience is in small private schools. I found pay disparity pretty shocking in one of the schools I worked in - after the equivalent of M6 it was a free for all and you had to see what you could squeeze out the head!
The school day is usually a bit longer, but so are the holidays. If the school has boarding do check if you are obliged to do any duties.

[suk44]

I note that the specific reason you say you want to move to a private school is because of 'toxic management'. When I taught in independent schools I found the main advantage was smaller class size, very slightly higher salary and generally better student behaviour. With the economic climate I'm not even sure those first two will be significantly better in those schools that are having to cut costs due to falling fee income. What I didn't class as being an advantage over the state sector in my experience was the behaviour/competence of senior management. Management can be terrible in any type of school so I now never assume it will be a supportive one just because a school is a particular type. The best information in that regard is if you know someone on the current staff who is willing to give a very honest view (and not from school reputation/website/job advert info/ISI report).

Just one example I remember reading about in the news..
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/teacher-relives-emotional-nightmare-13k-18894588

[MovingtoEssex]

Thanks for replies, it's much appreciated.
@suk44 the move to any new school is motivated by the toxic management rather specifically a move to private (if that makes sense). There just happened to be a suitable job in a private school.
The pay scales are lower than state schools (not advertised).
Lots to think about.

[suk44]

Might be worth enquiring what their typical non contact time is for a classroom teacher. In my experience private schools expect teaching staff to show quite a big commitment to extra curricular activities, coaching sports etc, although it depends on the school. This was mitigated by the fact that the PPA time was fairly good - certainly a lot more than in the state sector. If however a school had a relatively low non contact time (for a private school) whilst still expecting all the extra commitments, then it would start setting off alarm bells in my mind. I'd wonder if it had been cut to save money, which I've seen happen in a number of schools.

[PumpkinPie2016]

I would say, if it's a boarding school, definitely check about duties! Two of my friends moved from state schools to the same private boarding school and they have to do one one or two Sunday duties per half term.

They don't seem to mind but I personally wouldn't
like it.

[toadstool32]

I moved from state to private 6 years ago and I will never go back! Check the TPS yes and non contact allowance, 20% is standard.

[JuliaHulia]

Agree about the management thing. My worst experience of management was in a private school. The kids were great and the class sizes were smaller, but they were a terribly inefficient and toxic management. There was also some terrible teaching in that school (some excellent too) and there were zero opportunities for CPD. Promotion was for the headteachers besties too. But, that was one school and I'm sure not indicative of the entire sector.