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Original poster

Independent schools pay in London urgent help

33 replies

HDM · 30/04/2023 17:19

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 :)

OP posts:
rockpoolingtogether · 30/04/2023 22:08

HDM · 30/04/2023 18:33

No they are not part of TPS for sure. And I was shocked as well after hearing about 3%.
but not just pension the pay seems low to me aswell. what do you think how shall I approach this with them?
I like the school as it’s small only 230 kids and it will suite me due to holiday structure with my little one.

Stay where you are.

MetaDaughter · 30/04/2023 22:08

Sounds as if you’ve decided against it, anyway. But I’d be inclined to wonder what such a small school could offer in terms of career progression. I mean, how would it field multiple sports teams to compete with other schools; what sort of orchestra and choirs with so few children to choose from; how many MFLs, trips, famous speakers, etc? I’m not sure holiday structure should be your primary criterion for - well, anything, really.

Original poster
HDM · 30/04/2023 21:58

Aah thanks alot, this thread has helped me to think and take the right decision for myself.

OP posts:
doglover90 · 30/04/2023 19:30

Honestly, I doubt there's room for manoeuvre if that's what they've offered - it's probably a school-wide policy. To me it seems exploitative and a huge red flag. If the school only has 230 children and is offering such a low pension, there's also a chance it will close down in the next few years if Labour gets into power & introduces VAT on fees. Lots of indy schools offer much better pensions so if I were you, unless I was desperate I wouldn't accept the job.

Original poster
HDM · 30/04/2023 18:33

No they are not part of TPS for sure. And I was shocked as well after hearing about 3%.
but not just pension the pay seems low to me aswell. what do you think how shall I approach this with them?
I like the school as it’s small only 230 kids and it will suite me due to holiday structure with my little one.

OP posts:
wobytide · 30/04/2023 18:27

Effectively its a pay cut unless there is a massive reduction in the expectation around your workload.

The 3% is the mandated minimum for a workplace pension so it maybe gives an indicator about how they treat their staff.

Spendonsend · 30/04/2023 18:17

That is a low pension contribution.

I understand the reason for leaving the TPS but the schools I know that have done this still do 12% and 18% emplpyer contributions

doglover90 · 30/04/2023 18:06

Something doesn't sound right here. Is the employer contribution 3%, or your contribution? Is this a DC (defined contribution) scheme - presumably it isn't TPS (teachers pension scheme), as TPS has a fixed employer contribution? 3% as an employer contribution is absolutely awful.

Generally private school salaries are slightly more generous than state sector salaries, but this varies massively - a small independent school will not be able to match the salaries at schools with huge reserves, and at some private schools the pay is on par with state schools. The downside is that many smaller private schools are no longer in the TPS, and this has huge financial implications - depending on where you are in your career, you could lose tens of thousands of pounds.

If you're a Maths teacher in London, loads of state schools that offer TPS would snap you up. You definitely have options.