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!!!

I worked in both. Indie over state every time. More money, smaller workload, no petty bureaucracy and better behaved children. Nearly a quarter of the pupils were scholarship winners. The hours were longer in the day, but no after school clubs because lunchtime was a proper length for eating and extracurricular stuff. No revision sessions or coming in in holidays.

I wouldn’t ever consider working in a state school. I couldn’t deal with the parents.

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross That is as silly as @JimmyGimble 's remarks about independent school parents.

Private every time. I switched from state years ago and will never go back. My kids go too and so have parent friends as well as colleague friends. All lovely. More money, smaller classes, 18 weeks holiday.

Yeah I work in an indie after many years in state. It's just a job- I like teaching and these kids need a teacher. I don't think about the politics or get worked up about it. Many people who complain about inequalities between state and private buy privilege in many other ways- private health, bigger houses, houses in catchments of middle class schools etc.
If you want a job just apply and take it - independent sector is fine.

BlackType - that’s the reason I said it.

I don’t really think it, of course, because only somehow with the IQ of a pigeon would make a sweeping generalisation like that it all seriousness. But the reverse snobbery on here sometimes really pisses me off. It’s somehow fine to slag off independent school parents and, even worse, independent school kids, but heaven help anyone says anything similar about the state system. I think the people who do the former somehow think they’ve got some kind of moral justification for what they say, rather than just piously virtue signalling by attacking people.

Could be a good role for getting back into schools. You could possibly negotiate down the hours to finish earlier?
I think the advantages for you as TA would be the smaller class sizes, you would really get to know students that you assist. There are also holidays every 6 weeks which is really good for work life balance.
Check that you're OK with the ethos of the school too,some are very academic, some sporty etc :)

I'm a TA in an independent school, I love it. Pay is £5k more than when I was in state and I get a chunky discount off fees.

Most teachers who come from state can't believe how much easier teaching a class of around 14 is, but also can't believe how much the school expects from them.

Yes reverse snobbery! I wouldnt work in an independent school because it's immoral? Get over yourselves !! If you had the money you probably would too! I would love to work in an independent school.

Sorry, @TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross I was feeling cross with JimmyGimble. I think I'm the one who has the IQ of a pigeon.

Pros and cons at both. You can’t worry about feeling the inadequacies or society - those kids didn’t choose their more privileged life and still need teaching. Some parents give up holidays and luxuries for years because they want to give their child education at a private school - they’re not all incredibly rich.

There can be unexpected pressures - at small private secondary schools there can be a lot of pressure not to upset parents as a small fall in numbers can have a catastrophic effect on payroll implications and even sixth form options. So there can be that tension. You will tend to get parents who are more engaged with education because they’re paying but again not necessarily so. Some quite happy to shell out money and leave the school to it. Others will be in every few days checking they’re getting their money’s worth. But then in the state sector you can get the same.

I’d look at the “feel” of the school first and take it from there.

Yes, of course, why not?

The children in private schools haven’t chosen to be there, their parents did, so it’s a normal teaching job in terms of what you need to achieve, but without an Ofsted inspector breathing down your neck.

I will only work in an independent school.

Theonlylivingboyinnewcross IQ of a pigeon ... loving your work! Well done.
I sent my child to the local comp where he did very well and he is now at an RG university. It wouldn’t have occurred to me to send him private even if we had the money. I wouldn’t have considered grammar either. Private schools and to some extent grammar schools exist as a way to buy privilege for the well heeled whether it’s by paying school fees or being able to afford a house on a leafy catchment. They do absolutely sod all to help bright but underprivileged children. Why would they? Inequality works for them. Sure there will be a very few poorer children accepted but all that really amounts to is crumbs from the table. It’s not what I became a teacher for. I was brought up in the 70’s by a single parent and education was my route out of poverty. I want to help other kids do the same. Which is why I would never work in an independent.

A lot of private schools cater for students damaged by the state sector.

How so?

There’s a fair amount of state and alternative provision mopping up the problems from the independent sector too - works both ways.

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!

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.

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.

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

News to me.

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.

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.

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

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!?