age 11 -18 private school question for hubby

[monicastwinsister]

he`s looking around for a new job (he teaches DT ). he has always done state school. but whats it like in private?????? if its of any use he also marks exams for aqa and is a state school grammar school boy.

Check that they still use the teachers pension service. Been a few threads on here recently about private schools opting out.

good point there.

Suspect there is a lot of variation between schools. I've only worked in one private, but

• behaviour not perfect, but much much much better
• the kids will have nicer cars than he does
• longer school days, but also longer holidays. This usually enables you to access the cheaper deals
• smaller classes
• very strong expectation that staff will run extra curricular activities
• 30% discount on fees for staff children to attend (none of the staff could afford it, even so. Pay rises lagged behind public sector)

Ime there actually less psychotic bullying over GCSE results in private than there was in state. Lots of very political stuff going on at middle and senior management level. Lots of discrimination too - female staff, non white staff, very underrepresented, many overtly sexist comments made. Roles paid less when women did them. Etc. Yes,it's illegal but not many people really want/can afford to mount a legal challenge against their employer.

right

I moved from state to private but in a school which is very 'normal'. There are wealthy parents and others who are scraping every bean to send their kids.

The behaviour is better. There is more autonomy amongst staff. ISI inspections are rigerous but not as awful at Ofsted and inspectors are heads etc that have or are working in private sector.

You get a free lunch.

But...some small schools are on dodgy ground with money. Numbers of pupils are a huge thing. Marketing is massive and takes up weekend, evening time for taster days.
parents are more demanding, and generally need far more careful handling than at state. There are levels of neglect and safeguarding needs/issues. Target grades are nuts and parents, and some pupils, can be quite entitled with expectations of what you need to do to get their offspring a good grade.

They want their pound of flesh time wise. They tend not to mention weekend, evening work in adverts until you go for interviews. Any boarding environment will require this. Lots of staff doubling up so he might find himself running the C football team. No cover supervisors so lots of cover. Less thought as to meetings on same week as parents evening.

I love my school but he MUST check the financials and numbers on roll before he accepts a job. Lots of private schools are closing. The rise of employer contributions to TPS is going to be a killer for some.

I find it a far more relaxed environment to be in. A feel a genuine team memeber rather than a cog in an educational machine with an expectation that grades pop out at the end of year 11. Smaller classes, less behaviour issues, although some overt rudeness the likes of which I never saw in a dodgy state school. More parent behaviour issues and demands to understand exactly why their child didon’t get a good grade. Lots of colleagues children in school which feels like constant monitoring. Free lunch. Longer day but longer lunch break and time between lessons - which adds to the relaxed feel. Persistent numbers game, expectation you talk up and promote the school constantly. On balance, I will not be returning to the state sector unless forced.