Can a working class person work in an independent school?

[MikeSkinnerscrotch]

I've been offered an interview for a support role in a top independent school and I'm already feeling intimidated and inferior. Can this work? How do I get over these feelings? On paper I look good, but I have an accent and went to the rough local comp. How do I impress these people? How can I be on their level without their education, money and confidence? Will they just see through me straight away? How do I play it?

You’ve been shortlisted which means on paper your appointable. Don’t change accents, Now’s not the time for a crisis of class consciousness. Good luck hope you get the post🤞

Of course. A diverse bunch of people is always more interesting to work with.

Who are you intimidated by, the staff or the students?

I think you are falling into the trap of stereotyping the people who will be interviewing you and already working at the school, in addition to presuming they will stereotype you.

Just be yourself, as I am sure they will be, if you are the right person for the job you will be offered it. Good luck.

That’s what the working class are for isn’t it? To serve the elite?

On a more serious note, why on earth would you want to work with people who base their opinion of people on their accent or going to ‘the local comp’ (some 93% of kids go to state schools so that’s a hell of a lot of people to judge)

Either they’re judgey dicks in which case don’t work there or they’re normal human beings in which case no problem.

IMO you need to be yourself, and not try to seem like someone you’re not.

Having said that, your actual accent shouldn’t matter, unless it’s so strong it’s difficult to understand. And not that I’m saying or implying that you do, but I’d def. avoid anything like dropping Ts and the G at the end of any -ing words.
I dare say some MNers will say that wouldn’t matter either, but it very likely would.

Loads of non posh people work in indy schools. Most teachers are just middle or lower middle class, and then most support staff will be from mixed backgrounds, often reflecting the local housing near to the school.
Just be yourself. Confident in your abilities. I always treat everyone exactly the same, whether they're very well off or impoverished. The people who interview you will be just normal educational staff. Wanting the best for the kids, just the same as you. Good luck. But you don't need it!

Have you met any of the staff yet or do you just have preconceptions? They are teachers not the royal family, they will be entirely normal and made up from all sorts of backgrounds.

Perhaps stop thinking of yourself as 'working class person getting out of their depth' and start thimking of yourself as 'capable candidate more than able to ace this interview and get the role.'

The deputy head at my children's private school is common as muck (as am I!) and very well respected by children and parents. Good luck, you'll be fab. Just remember not all private school kids come from posh families

Aarghhh, you're all right! But it's a top boarding school and it's terrifying! I'll buy a new suit and do lots of research etc. I just want to make sure I can hold my own.

Well I went to a top boarding school and staff were from all sorts of backgrounds and with all sorts of accents. I can't imagine they have become less diverse over time.

They have invited you to interview so clearly are quite rightly not bothered about where you went to school or what accent you might have. You shouldn't be bothered either. You impress them by being personable, having appropriate confidence in your own abilities and behaving professionally, same as any interview, and it will be fine. Lots of luck.

Thank you! I will obviously try to not be completely in awe and overwhelmed! They are just so confident!!