Teachers: Which is better - independent or state schools?

[junkfoodaddict]

I teach in the state (public) sector at primary level and wanting to look at teaching in the independent sector.
Would be interested to hear from anyone who has made that transition and what their opinions are in comparison.
Is the grass greener on the other side?

The pay's not always better according to what I've hear from teachers at my boys' prep school.

Depends on the school. Actually, I am not a teacher but my (very close) cousin is and we were actually discussing this last night. He taught in state schools for about six years before moving. He taught Year 7 at the state schools but at the independent he moved to Year 7 rotated specialist teachers so he is teaching Year 5 instead.He moved two years ago. Primary is a bit different than secondary because it can be taught very differently at schools depending on whether the children have one teacher, or if it is the kind of prep where they go to different classes for every subject (not just for music and latin, for example).

You may be expected to work longer hours but this is unlikely at R-Year 3. There are some benefits he noticed (obviously this does not relate to everybody's experience)

-longer summer holidays/longer breaks in general
-not having to teach to the test all the time
-small classes/less marking/more time with each student
-lots of school trips to exciting places that are free to teachers and always need to be accompanied (obviously you are less likely to get thsi as a primary teacher, but sometimes senior trips need a teacher and no senior teacher is available). So far he has gone on a Classics trip to Greece and Rome and an Art History trip to France and the US.
-SAHParents who can help with field trips/galas/sports days etc
-school nurse onsite
-his own sons (twins) get 75% off their fees. Also, it works out quite well because the school is one form entry, two forms Year 4-6 and four froms from Year 7 so he won't have to teach his own children.

By the way, day school no boarding offered. I'm not sure how that would change the situation.

Also don't know about the money side of things. Sorry.

TBH I am not too bothered about pay. I am quite willing to drop a bit. Am very interested in workload, pensions, performance management and any other contractual issues.

I moved 3 years ago. I am still part of the teachers pension scheme. Our school doesn't do threshold payments, nor pay heads of department more for the role. I work hard in term time, but do do most at school, but long day as the kids leave at 5.30pm, but some of that time is prep where they sit and work and I sit and work! No PM really for us. I have been observed teaching properly once in 3 years as a head of dept, and observe a couple of people in my department each year. Pushy parents, but at least they care! Free meals, including breakfast and supper if I want, plus snacks at break times and drinks etc... We have a week left of school!

Honestly, it depends on the school! As it is the independent sector, there is a lot more variety in the procedures of different schools. Like any school, state or private, you will get a good idea for websites and/or at interview about whether you think it is the right fit for you. And any questions you have should be answered in a forthright manner, or I'd be worried.
Possibly you are a bit more protected from financial instability in a larger, longer established private school than a smaller, newer one. From personal experience, I have found the more 'corporate' private schools a little better than family-run ones for terms of contract, pay scales and other working conditions.
There are fantastic schools in either sector. Good luck finding one you love.

I have a friend who went from teaching senior school biology at a private, to the same at an inner city comp. I think he is now paid less, has far more stress but says that he enjoys the job so much more, because he feels like he is making a difference.

Holidays are appealing - personal reasons.
Smaller class sizes are definitely a big factor in me wanting to switch. I am aware that for many parents, that is a main reason too.
Marking - can't imagine it being worse, only better due to smaller classes therefore less work to mark.
More freedom to teach - told too much how to teach, what to teach and when to teach in public sector.
Respect - I know some people say private schools have pushy parents but I feel they are just parents who want the best for their children - afterall, some are handing over a good chunk of their annual salary to ensure a top-notch education.
Educational Visits - Am I right in thinking that private schools use these more frequently? I am a big fan of getting children out of the classroom and into their community and outdoor area.

I would be interested to hear about what people's salaries are and specifics in their contracts.

Also, I am so dissatisfied with the public sector, the lack of respect and the constant changes due to different governing political parties that I really don't want my own son languishing in a system that is frequently being meddled with.

Taught in both and i'd say it is equal but very different benefits and challenges.

State:
Shorter days but shorter holidays
Parents less pushy (but very dependent on the school- this can mean many parents who don't see education as a priority or can mean less stress for you or can be equally as pushy as at private schools!
Almost double the number of children in your class. I had 30 in state and 16 in private, but again this varies.
Much more pressure and performance management, lots more observations (especially when I was a newer teacher) and pressure to keep standards up and be ofsted good/outstanding
Diverse range of children and for the majority they know money doesn't grow on tress and are a bit more down to earth
Feel like you can make more of a difference, i did some time in really deprived areas and it was bloody hard but my job satisfaction was higher

Private:
Totally different ball game, each parent is technically paying for your services
Hence, much pushier and much more pressuring parents.
Longer days, but longer holidays too
Behavior less of an issue
Often a very different style of teaching or different expectations and methods of teaching needed to engage the children
Pressure to get children up to the level of top private secondaries and sometimes lack of understanding from parents that their child is not right for a certain school and not the right level to get a place.
children can be a bit in a bubble and often much less diverse.
facilties better
more specialist teachers so you just teach what you are really confident with or just your specialist subject.
IMO easier in terms of marking/planning/behaviour management which means an easier life...but probably less job satisfaction.

I have taught in both
I have attended both
I would say it depends considerably on your area, but in mine there is absolutely no doubt at all, state far better..