Would you work in an Independent school?

[solittletime]

I might have an opportunity of a job in an independent school. They offer lots of professional development and I liked the atmosphere there, it seemed a happy, relaxed school. They also have a good reputation and results above national level (so one would hope!).

The hours are longer than in state school, and it would impact somewhat on my DCs, who have been used to having me as a stay at home parent for many years.

I really want to get back in to teaching, work towards QTS etc.

I have a slight issue with private schools in terms of personal principles etc..

I don't know what to do!

Could I use it as an opportunity to get some good experience on my CV, and then move to a state school?

Ultimately I really want to work in a state school - I am sure this is something that will never change.

Would state schools look favourably at a teacher coming from the private sector, or is there a bit less kudos attached to it?

I'd really welcome all perspectives!!!

[KnobZombie7]

I worked in an independent primary school and hated it. It totally de-skilled me. The school favoured old-fashioned text book and worksheet-based teaching which was the opposite to what I was led to believe at interview.
The parents ran the school not only through the fees they paid but by dictating the curriculum. The staff could never relax, totally scared for losing their jobs. Back-stabbing culture where people would blame others for things they had done to avoid being shouted at by the HT - terrible place.

The point I'm making is regardless of whether it's in the state or independent sector, it's the school itself that's important deciding if you want to work there.

[avoschmadoo]

Eight o'clock Morally (to me) it seems ok to teach in a private school but less ok to send your child to one!

Err what?! I teach in a private school and my children attend the same school. What exactly is immoral by your definition about that?

[eightoclock]

Morally (to me) it seems ok to teach in a private school but less ok to send your child to one!

After all the state has paid for everyone's (most people anyway) education and those who are employed by the state get paid for that.

The moral issue is with those who get top notch educations having more opportunities, more influence in politics etc. No one would claim that a teacher in a private school was disproportionately influential or rich.

[tomhazard]

We have weekend events CraftyGin Eg we had an open day yesterday, and we will run our entrance tests on a Saturday in a few weeks. Most staff are expected to attend.
The long holidays, more autonomy, smaller classes and better behaviour more than make up for this.

[CraftyGin]

Weekend events?

[AppleKatie]

Independent schools require a time commitment of evenings and weekend events that the unions have fought very hard to ensure state teachers are not subjected too.

On the other hand the paperwork/marking/bureaucratic expectations in state schools mean thousands of teachers work late in the evening every evening at their dining tables once their kids are in bed.

For me the trade off of the odd extra parents meeting/cross country race inexplicably on a Sunday afternoon 😂 is worth it.

Beautiful surroundings and paid better as well.

[Olivo]

I have recently started at a non selective indie after 20+ yrs in state. My mental and physical health have improved already. Every one is treated well, pay is the same, behaviour is better, I can teach, few behaviour issues and I feel supported. The positive impact on my family is already evident. I am a strong teacher but the constant lack of support and resources at my state school was very, very draining.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but my move was definitely for the best!

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

I work in an indie after working in several state schools. The pay and conditions are better - longer holidays, lovely food, no scrimping on photocopying or shortage of text books and minimal behaviour issues. Parents can be demanding, but no different from state and at least they do make the kids do their prep. ever hear of teachers whinging that they 'are on their knees with workload as often on here from state school teachers. I will never go back to state!

[Rosy17]

I think you should base your decision on what works best for you career wise and your family. If you like the school give it a go! It might be useful to experience work in the independent sector, you can always change at a later date if it doesn't suit you. FWIW I have one child at state school and one at independent and you get a real mixture of parents in both settings as you do in all areas of life! Generalisations aren't helpful and it shouldn't really be a consideration in your decision.

[brisklady]

I'm currently working (my arse off) in a state school. But I think the most valuable work I did in my career was working with pregnant teenagers in care. Working for a private organisation. I just think the state/independent divide is too stark. And as others have said, kids are kids - privately educated kids are no less deserving of a good education than state schools kids (no more either).

[CarrieBlue]

The state paid for my training for a specific profession which is rather different to a generic ‘education’.

[CarrieBlue]

brisklady - you work where you like, I was merely stating why I won’t work in the independent education sector. If you don’t feel you owe anything back then fine - your choice, mine is different.

[brisklady]

Plenty of entitled parental knobbery in the state sector too. And the point about 'the state paid for my training so I couldn't work in private' is rather extreme. The state paid for my entire education, does that mean I shouldn't ever work outside the public sector (I'm not a teacher)?

[solittletime]

This thread has been really helpful thank you. The school had a great approach to the curriculum and I found that one of the most appealing things. I definitely will be more open minded now and might actually consider working in an I dependent school.

[PinguDance]

I think it would massively depend on what kind of independent school it was - I have been tangentially involved with a small sample of private schools and I really liked that a couple embraced their freedom from the national curriculum and were a bit weird and the teaching seemed fun, on the other hand another couple seem to have a very old fashioned approach to pastoral care and were deeply snobby.
In principle I don't like how over represented private school alumni are in positions of power but neither do I like the current govt education policy which is obviously enforced in sate education.

[April2020mom]

Do you have experience of working in a independent school or not? My mom worked at a independent school not far from her house and she loved not having to do so much paperwork. I recommend trying it out for a while and seeing what happens. You might love it. Give it a few good months.

[dapplegrey]

Jimmy if you've never worked in an independent school then how do
you know what the parents are like?

[Holidayshopping]

I have heard, in some areas, of applicants who wish to move to state school teaching from 'not great but very naice' private primaries simply not having their applications considered - because experience has shown that teaching in those private schools is not a good preparation for the expectations of classroom management, differentiation, knowledge of SEN, workload, rapid change, absolutely up to date practice and curriculum in the local state sector.

I think this was probably historically the case, but now there are so few teachers left that heads can’t afford to be picky.

For the last position we tried to fill, we had one applicant and they didn’t even have QTS; they were hoping we could train them on the job!?

[Beesandfrogsandfleas]

No it wouldn't be a consideration for me, against my principles.
jimmygrimble I love that movie, must look it out!

[Fantastiqueangel]

I got offered a job in an independent a couple of years ago but ultimately turned it down. There were teaching reasons, but also there was the niggly feeling of unease about my beliefs, so it was better not to move.

[SuperPug]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/schoolsweek.co.uk/private-schools-will-report-annually-on-their-work-with-state-schools/amp/
Although the proposal according to this seems to be "obliged to". The school I am in at the moment is heavily involved in various partnerships. Other schools, like City of London, have a significant proportion of pupils who are given bursaries as do some other schools.

[CraftyGin]

Independent schools are now legally obliged to form partnerships with state schools

News to me.

[SuperPug]

Jimmy, I do get your reasons.
They don't do sod all to help children in those circumstances. I grew up in an area with poor local state schools. A bursary and then going to a grammar school undoubtedly helped me. The assisted places scheme was also in place at that time.
Independent schools are now legally obliged to form partnerships with state schools although this is better in some schools than others.
I became a teacher because I love my job but I make no apologies for teaching in the independent sector. Just like I wouldn't be apologising if I was working in any other private sector.

[cantkeepawayforever]

I think it depends a LOT on the relative quality and type of schools you have locally, and their reputation for the quality of teaching amongst the local professional teaching community.

I have heard, in some areas, of applicants who wish to move to state school teaching from 'not great but very naice' private primaries simply not having their applications considered - because experience has shown that teaching in those private schools is not a good preparation for the expectations of classroom management, differentiation, knowledge of SEN, workload, rapid change, absolutely up to date practice and curriculum in the local state sector.

However, if you lived in an area where it was the private schools which had the reputation for cutting edge innovative teaching, provision for SEN, differentiation for the individual, exceptional classroom management etc, then I am sure that cross-sector applications would be much more welcome.

It may also be the case that at secondary, where pure 'level of subject knowledge' is more of a factor in teaching, moving each way is possibly easier.

I suppose what I am saying is if you want to get into independent school teaching and intend to stay there, that is absolutely fine. However, if you are planning to go into an independent school as a stepping stone to teaching in the state sector, you might find things more difficult. Certainly on a personal level, I have known some (IME not the strongest) teachers move state -private, but have never personally known a teacher who has moved the other way.

[KarlDilkington]

If you have any doubts regarding the morality of private school then you shouldn't work in one. It's unfair on the kids who go to one and the parents who pay for them. In my opinion!