Prep teachers - are your children in preps or state?

[arizonagirl]

I have always worked in prep schools and am planning to go back soon after having four children.

But I am really confused - will be going back to prep schools to teach but it is unlikely we will be able to stretch to four going private all the way through. But it doesn't feel right not putting them in preps too and putting them in state schools. I am not saying that is a bad thing - I have taught in some wonderful state schools, but it just doesn't sit easy with me.

Was wondering what other prep teachers have done and how they feel about it?

Thank you for any thoughts.

this is the conundrum of an inequitable education system

I teach in an all-age independent school and all my children are in independent.

I feel happy about this. Ecstatic, really.

I think if you are prep-only, and are relying on fee remission, then you are going to struggle with senior school on a teacher's salary. But it is worth it you can.

I know several parents of kids at DCs STate schools who work in the private sector, some at preps. They choose it because it was a good school. Go and look at the State school options and then choose.

But then there would be those horribly short holidays.

Thanks girls. MmeBlueberry - would you mind saying whether dc are at your school - no problems if you don't want to say. Iseethepoint, I have been teaching internationally at a private international school for the last 10 years and have to admit to preferring the small, more intimate classes where I can really be able to devote time to my children on an individual basis. I used to get so frustrated in classes of 30, knowing that I wanted to stretch certain children but just not being able to. And too often, it ended up being the lower groups that ended up with the attention and those who could flourish given half the chance just not getting my time. I really tried to do my best but it was so exasperating. Having said that, the state schools I worked in had outstanding Ofsted reports and I totally admire all the teachers who are still there. They are wonderful.

Mummytime, hello again and thank you

Some are at my school and some are at another (full fees).

If you are in the international circuit, then go for another international school.

For example, if you were to get a job at ACS International (Cobham, Egham, Hillingdon), then your children could be educated free from age 3 - 18.

MmeBlueberry are you sure? 100% remission of fees if you teacher there?

Interesting. I have had a couple of years out though so probably wouldn't get a look in. especially after they discovered I have four children!!!

At my last international school there was a really good discount for mums but it was dramatically reduced a few years ago during times of cutbacks. Don't remember how much by - it wasn't really that relevant to me then.

Still, it is an option to look into. Just means I would have to go back full-time earlier than I anticipated. But would be worth it. Thanks for the thoughts.

ACS had 100% fee remission when I was working there 4-5 years ago.