Does fee subsidy for teachers annoy you? (private schools)

[manicinsomniac]

I teach in a private school. Single mum of 3 kids. Chose to go into teaching to get free wraparound care and needed a family friendly job. Admittedly the massive fee reduction was a huge draw too. (Plus it seemed a more responsible career choice than my other option of struggling and probably failing actress/dancer!)

I was talking about schools with an acquaintance this morning and she said something about not wanting her child to go to a private school because all the families are rich and she doesn't want her child in that environment. I said most are but not all and pointed out that I'm a long way from rich. She then said (she's quite forthright!) that my situation was even worse because I get other people to pay for my privilege as well as their own!

I was a bit taken aback but now also a bit worried. I get on well enough with most of the parents at school but don't make friendships outside of those who are also colleagues because it's a bit of a professional conflict. But now I'm wondering if they're all secretly smiling at me through gritted teeth thinking that, not only are they paying my wages, but that they're paying my kids' fees too! I've never really thought about it like that. I think it's more that the school still makes a bit of money (school isn't full) and gets to have us in school for a lot more hours than might otherwise be possible.

So if you are (or if you were) a parent paying school fees - do you resent staff discounts and would you prefer it if they weren't there?

I think lucky them.

Our school has so many staff children including the headmasters 2. I see it as a bonus and the teachers are more committed to the school and have more of a vested interest in it being a great school. I think at private school although a lot are from well off parents there are also kids who get scholarships or bursaries, kids who parents aren't wealthy but their wealthier grandparents pay the school fees, parents who make huge sacrifices in every part of their lives just to pay school fees, children who's parents are separated and they live with one parent who isn't wealthy but school fees are paid for by the wealthier non resident parent, it is a real mix.

Thing is many of us have perks in our job.

I'm lucky enough to get an on target bonus of around 10% of my salary each year generally just for turning up and doing my job, provided the economy hasn't tanked during that period. Other people get more.

Generally those of us who can afford to send our DCs to private school ( or have generous relatives who pay for it) have done rather well in the lottery of life. It seems ridiculously churlish to be jealous of teachers who couldn't otherwise afford the fees being able to send their DCs there at a reduced cost.

It's a perk of your job. If i wanted that perk then I need to apply for a similar job. It's like a company car imo. I don't get one, because I teach in a state secondary. I cant be jealous or resentful of those who do - its my career choice afterall. My perk is 13 weeks holiday, despite the work I do at home, because I get to be a working mum who has a quarter of the year at home with my kids. Enjoy your perk and ignore anyone who resents you for it.