Teachers- would you take this job?

[user1483390742]

I have an opportunity to leave State education and work in an indie school.

Pros- longer holidays, no OFSTED, minimal planning, class of 6 children!!, less paperwork, fewer observations.

Cons- no PPA, less resources, expected to work a week of Summer hols (with overtime pay) to cover Nursery staff, no real opportunity for career progression (not that bothered about that, if i'm honest!), no TPS contributions.

WWYD? I think.ot might be just what I need, but not sure!

My concern would be the very small class sizes. Have their numbers dropped over time. I know of some private schools which have had to close or merge due to a drop in student numbers. If this has always been the norm then fair enough.

The lack of pension would put me off

Schools I've worked in are fairly big indie schools and the lack of TPS contributions seems odd.
I haven't heard of working during your summer holidays to cover other staff like this- is it a fairly small school if there are six children in the class? Both of those issues seem to point towards issues with funds.
It depends on what is making you leave, apart from the factors you've listed above.

I have had enough of teaching, after 15 years and can't cope with the workload anymore.
I was considering getting out of teaching completely, so the TPS payments would have stopped anyway. I thought this could be a last- ditch attempt to stay in education!
Yes, it is a very small school and part of me thinks that if funding were an issue and the school closed in a couple of years time, I could just go back to State!

I wouldn’t because of the pension, but if you were leaving anyway then maybe. I wouldn’t see it as a long term thing though because the class sizes make it sound incredibly precarious in terms of job security.

In those circumstances, I would leave and there's a lot to be said for smaller class sizes. I would go for it.

Yes!

Why not, if you were going to leave teaching as the alternative. Do you get a good vibe from the school? At that size a lot will depend on whether you like the Head.

Otherwise, you could decide to give the Independent sector a shot and wait for a prep school with a more standard set of T&C.

No. Not being in the TPS would put me off. Do they contribute to a different pension scheme? Is the pay better to reflect lack of pension?

There are increasingly larger numbers of private schools that are opting out of the Teachers Pension scheme due to the changes in tax implications. Also, you would need to carefully check the pay and conditions of service. State education teachers may work long hours, but some of the conditions of service are very good compared to the private sector.
OP, have you thought about reducing your hours where you already work?

I have considered reducing down to 0.6 but imagine I would spend my 2 days off doing admin at home, so not sure if that would achieve anything!

No. 6 in a class would bore md stupid! I once taught in a private school with 12 in a class and it was just too intense.

I would also have enormous concerns about the financial viability of any school with re few children in a class.

No, I would not sacrifice my pension.
I would also worry about the school closing with such small numbers.

I get the point that you might leave teaching anyway but surely there are other options.

Having said that private schools are increasingly opting out of TPS and so there may not be many other choices.

If it’s this or leave teaching, I would take the job. If nothing else it might give you some time to think about what you really want.

I teach in a school like this OP. I work 8am - 1pm, 4 days, 6 in my class (mixed year 1/2). Also in the process of setting up an Early Years unit. I have an alternative pension not TPS - but I do have 30 years of TPS contributions. I left state education for many reasons - mainly my mental health. I am so much happier, if poorer. 6 can be a problem when they stare at me like zombie sheep sometimes - luckily I do have a very sparky one who carries the others along. I am becoming worried for my job next year (about to have this discussion with the HT/owner) as 4 of my class will be going to year 3 and there doesn't seem to be any in the pipeline. Not sure they can afford to pay me to teach 2 children. Eek! If there is some security in it, I'd say definitely go for it.

I would normally say no way, because losing the TPS is a massive thing. But if you’re seriously thinking of leaving teaching anyway, then tbh you’ve nothing to lose. Just make sure (whether you go for this job or something different) that you look carefully at how to pay into a pension going forward, because with just 15 years TPS it’s really not going to be enough for your future

I would say no

I work in an independent and say yes.

We were recently told that a minimum of 8 students were needed to cover costs - so the small class size suggests that the school is struggling.

I have 6 in my class. I love it.
We have the working for a few days in the holidays thing but it's for craft clubs which are good to get to know pupils you don't teach. The behaviour expectations are usually much higher so the classes are easier. (Though pupils IMO can be more 'entitled'.)

I'd say 'Go for it!'

Like a shot, if it weren't for the pension.

I took a job in a private school a couple of years ago that doesn't pay into TPS. School is okay, I teach secondary so classes more like 16 but the attached prep has very small classes particularly at KS1.

It's a much easier teaching life, I find the financial morals of the school and the way it is a bit, um, unusually run quite difficult, which you might find too coming from state but overall it's been a good experience. I'm leaving this year to go overseas but when I come back I hope to find a private school that pays into TPS as I do think this is the main disadvantage.

I think you should do it anyway if you were going to leave. There's more to life than teachers pension- you need to be happy.

Ps feel free to pm me- it sounds like a similar school so I could give you a good idea of the pros and cons in a small indie coming from state