Teaching in state vs private

[Hellodarknessmyfriend]

I'm an experienced primary teacher (state education, SEMH Specialist) who is just absolutely shocked and saddened with the total mess state schools are in. It kills me to see our children (especially, but not limited to, those with EHCPs) so badly failed.
I've come to the realisation that this is only going to get worse - for both students and staff alike.
So - for the first time in 20 years - I'm considering looking at moving across to private education.
This is something I know very little about so any experiences, opinions or advice would be very gratefully received.

The grass is not always greener.

I made the switch. From a ridiculously huge class to 16 max.
Then I gave up teaching. The parents were vile, I was sick with stress at the emails they would send me directly late at night when they clearly had had a few drinks and the school couldn't care less.
Also some private schools don't pay into TPS. They are run as a business as that's exactly what they are:
Both have their issues. I no longer teach.
DH switched back into a state school and is very happy, tho it's an outstanding school with an affluent catchment.

I switched and now I'm on my way out. Very similar story to the PP above

@TinyDsncers
Glad it's not just me then!

Thanks all. It would probably be only short-term whilst I get my Masters and move on.
Pay Scale is irrevelevant now in mainstream anyway as pay portability scrapped some years ago.

@cartet May I ask what it is you do now? 😀

@TinyDsncers Back to mainstream?

Out of teaching. I've set up my own business 😊

I used to teacher in private and now teach in state at a lovely school. @cartet said it all. I used to shake and feel sick every time I opened my email because there would be some ridiculous accusation or outlandish request.
Much happier, but I know it depends on the school and I've been lucky to land myself somewhere lovely.

@bloodyhellKen22 I have tried moving in mainstream, but ECTs are getting them over someone such as myself (20 years teaching).
And mainstream is messed up from what I've seen. Mostly due to budgets.
I will look around the school as it isn't a "normal" private school, but absolutely understand what you are saying about the parents. Appreciate that.

@Hellodarknessmyfriend
I work in financial planning at home, I took some exams post teaching and changed careers. Envy DH holidays but not the workload outside of school! Plus my job is flexible so when DS starts schools I can do all the drop off nativity etc which was important to me as we would have both been teaching.

@bloodyhellKen22
Oh god same.
I then had a miscarriage, and was forwarded many emails from parents complaining I was off. I quit a month later, will never teach again.

There's an excellent facebook group you might be interested in for information and advice for both coping with and leaving the teaching profession. There's just been a discussion on state vs private you might find helpful. https://m.facebook.com/groups/LifeAfterTeachingExitTheClassroomAndThrive/?__n=K

@cartet I think that's teaching expectations as a whole though? I miscarried whilst at work as taking time off incredibly frowned upon. Was bleeding so much it saturated my clothes. Keep calm and carry on(!)

@Hellodarknessmyfriend
Yeah I think you're prob right. It was just being sent the emails was so callous.
DH current state school is very much family first and he feels really valued - we met at the private school. It's def the school you are at.

I've worked in two independent schools. One was awful. Awful parents (not all but enough), awful slt and awful expectations which kids that didn't meet them got booted. Only plus was class size of twenty and ta from 8.30-4.

The other was lovely. Even smaller classes, much less pressure, lovely environment and lovely parents on the whole. Much more relaxed with planning and other admin. I would have stayed there if there was a post after my fixed term ended!

Now back in state at a pretty good school. Have been in some awful state too. I would say it depends very much on the school, not the sector.

Quite.

A good friend is leaving their independent school at the end of this term and is going back to the state sector in September (secondary).

There are a number of reasons for their decision but they boil down to poor school management, with unreasonable and uneven expectations of staff by some SLT members, increasingly entitled parents, and worse pay and conditions (compulsory Saturday working and no TPS).

They will miss the longer holidays, smaller classes and (generally) better pupil behaviour, but have decided that those are no longer enough to keep them there.

Incidentally, teacher is in their 50s and the new school will be paying them on UPS3.

Thanks all. I absolutely take on board your points. I am hoping to look around tthe school to see if it's right for me.
I am aware it will look very different to a "standard" private school as it is purely for learners with EHCP that are no longer in mainstream education. I have experience of two similar schools (state PRUs) so it will interesting to see how this one is.
I don't feel that teaching in mainstream education is any longer for me; it's working with children with additional needs which is where my passion lies. I am devastated that they are being so badly let down in mainstream state schools.