Independent schools pay in London urgent help

HDM · 2023-04-30T16:19:59+00:00

Hi all I am getting an offer from an Independent school. Question is they have matched my pay to my currents school pay which is a state school which will be U1. Also their pension is 3% by employer. pension is quite low I understand. But what do usually teachers get paid in private schools? I am teaching for past 7 years and before that I was a support teacher for 2 years. So a lot of experience. I really need advice here as need to answer them soon. I am a maths teacher by the way :)

Soma · 02/05/2023 00:01

@HDM yes, I know it.

WayDownInTheHole · 01/05/2023 21:24

Nimbostratus100 · 30/04/2023 23:12

lots of private schools pay less than state, and you need to look at the conditions carefully too, again, a lot of the conditions for staff in private schools are worse then those in state, eg no seats in staff room- standing only, no lockers, no space to work on site, policy of no supply teachers, expensive staff "uniform", no cleaning in staff areas - staff expected to do it, being available to parents by phone until 8pm, etc

I've worked in three private schools and don't recognise any of this in any of them.

Original poster

HDM · 01/05/2023 21:23

@Soma you mean, you know the school I am talking about?

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Soma · 01/05/2023 21:12

@HDM I know the school / college in question and the staff wear ordinary clothes, there is no expectation that they have to wear expensive uniforms. And staff contact parents in their own time.

Original poster

HDM · 01/05/2023 11:33

Boarding school is quite work heavy and I won’t even consider it if I have family.

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Original poster

HDM · 01/05/2023 11:32

You are right. I have been thinking same, at the same time I have been thinking to take this for a year and see how it goes, even if they don’t manoeuvre a bit. If they really like me they might increase my pay more next year since private schools specially don’t like their teachers moving so quickly as that raises questions by parents.

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 01/05/2023 11:06

HDM · 30/04/2023 22:45

I have been thinking how to negotiate my pay so I can contribute in my pension privately.

If you're not happy with the pay offer, particularly with the low pension contribution, then go back to them, and ask for something you would be happy with (e.g. UPS3 equivalent?). They may come back and say there's no possible movement, but equally they will struggle to recruit another experienced maths teacher at this time of year, so if you make it clear you will otherwise walk away, then there's likely to be some room for movement.

doglover90 · 01/05/2023 09:57

Nimbostratus100 · 01/05/2023 07:42

well, this is my experience in private schools, and doesn't even start on boarding duties, Saturday mornings, etc

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Working in a boarding school is a different kettle of fish - the payscale tends to be more generous to reflect the increased termtime hours, and holidays are longer.

Spendonsend · 01/05/2023 09:10

Terms and conditions of employment are a whole package of which pay and pension are a very big deal. But they arent the whole thing. Only teaching year groups you enjoy, or teaching smaller classes, or having more prep time or more holidays or shorter commutes, etc. These things have a value too. So its something to weigh up.

Livinghappy · 01/05/2023 09:06

@Nimbostratus100 That does seem surprising. The private school in my area have great teacher retention and way above what the states school offer to stage. Teachers are expected to be responsive to parents but not unreasonably so...plus their workload is much reduced so they have the time.

Original poster

HDM · 01/05/2023 08:59

A lot of my friends are happier in private schools as they are treated much better

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Original poster

HDM · 01/05/2023 07:51

Thanks that college is a bit far for me

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Nimbostratus100 · 01/05/2023 07:42

doglover90 · 01/05/2023 07:40

Most of those would be very unusual in a private school.

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well, this is my experience in private schools, and doesn't even start on boarding duties, Saturday mornings, etc

doglover90 · 01/05/2023 07:40

Nimbostratus100 · 30/04/2023 23:12

lots of private schools pay less than state, and you need to look at the conditions carefully too, again, a lot of the conditions for staff in private schools are worse then those in state, eg no seats in staff room- standing only, no lockers, no space to work on site, policy of no supply teachers, expensive staff "uniform", no cleaning in staff areas - staff expected to do it, being available to parents by phone until 8pm, etc

Most of those would be very unusual in a private school.

HonorHiding · 30/04/2023 23:24

OP would Woodhouse College be of interest to you? It’s a very highly rated sixth form college in north London:

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/maths-teacher-barnet-1839387

Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 23:22

I wasn’t aware of that, very interesting to know this.

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Nimbostratus100 · 30/04/2023 23:12

lots of private schools pay less than state, and you need to look at the conditions carefully too, again, a lot of the conditions for staff in private schools are worse then those in state, eg no seats in staff room- standing only, no lockers, no space to work on site, policy of no supply teachers, expensive staff "uniform", no cleaning in staff areas - staff expected to do it, being available to parents by phone until 8pm, etc

HonorHiding · 30/04/2023 23:06

It was just an educated guess. Their model is for-profit and that means they want to spend as little as possible on staff and get in as much as possible in fees.

Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 23:04

Yes this school is under dukes education.
is it something related to low pension ?

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HonorHiding · 30/04/2023 22:53

Is it under the Dukes Education umbrella?

I’m not a teacher but I’d have thought as an experienced maths teacher you could take your pick of good offers rather than accepting what appears to be a pay cut.

Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 22:46

Can I ask what is your profession ?

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Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 22:45

I have been thinking how to negotiate my pay so I can contribute in my pension privately.

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Whoiscomingtosaveyou · 30/04/2023 22:33

3% employer contribution is standard for my profession, and I doubt it’s the only one. We have no strong union to fight for us so nothing changes. There is the option to increase your own contribution and you’ll get tax relief on it. You could try negotiating maybe?

Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 22:24

Holiday is not my only criteria, but I am quite tired of handling big size classes and long term I wanted to move teaching just GCSE and Alevels as that’s what I enjoy the most.

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Original poster

HDM · 30/04/2023 22:22

It’s a very small arts school, just for GCSE and Alevels. It seems like quite famous as some celebrities have been there.
I am not sure how sports and other activities work but since they are only only age group 15-18, I believe group activities can work.

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