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Original poster

Independent school - staff children

13 replies

mathematicalmummy · 11/07/2019 19:40

Does anyone teach in independent school and have their children enrolled there? I am eyeing a prospective school where I'd like to teach, and I'd also like my son to go there. My reasons are the same - I think its a fantastic school with great leadership. Good for me, good for him. I hope.
Does anyone have their children in the school they work in? What is normal in terms of teacher discount? I could afford to pay the full fees but it would be a stretch! When is a good time to ask about this? If the school is competitive, are staff children any more likely to get in than regular applicants? I don't want to seem like I'm just applying in order to get my child in (because I'm really not) but I do want to think about his future.
And finally, how are staff with children generally viewed? Will it be a disadvantage, because if they give me a discount, I'd essentially cost more to employ? Or would it be seen as an advantage because I'm really proving my commitment to this school and its community?
TIA!

OP posts:
DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 11/07/2019 19:44

Our children are too young for the independent school where DH teaches, but all of the SMT here have kids who are at the school, so it doesn't seem to have harmed their careers!

I think the discount varies from school to school, think I've heard 50% off and 75% off. Also I think one school restricted the discount to the first 2 children, not all of them.

I know of one teacher's child who didn't get in, but it's not happened frequently.

Bumper1969 · 11/07/2019 19:47

I worked in a independent school where lots of staff children went . It was 50% discount at that time but many do 100%. They were viewed like any other child. Best if luck, be a great move fir you both. Schools like it, it's good marketing.

physicskate · 11/07/2019 22:18

It was a massive red flag for me when many staff children started leaving a school I worked at a fair few years ago. Then another member of staff enquires about sending her child and they wanted her to pay 95% fees, which could only partially explain why there were no longer any staff children (most would have been grandfathered in under more generous deductions.

I think it said a lot about what the school thought of its staff...

CraftyGin · 11/07/2019 22:21

My DD’s school gives 0% staff fee remission, but DSs’ school give 67%. I know of schools that give 100%. All schools will have a policy on this.

Fee remission for teachers acknowledges that a teaching salary does not enable a teacher to pay for independent schooling for their own children.

Fuzzyspringroll · 12/07/2019 19:22

DS is at my school's nursery and I get a staff discount of about £100/month, which really isn't much considering I still pay £600/month in nursery fees there while our state nursery would be £150/month. However, it's the convenience of having him on site. My commute is between 30 and 50 minutes, so I'd have to drop him off a lot earlier at our local nursery and leave work earlier as well.

However, it's generally seen as a positive thing if staff here have their children at our school. It reassures the other parents. (DS most likely won't go to the primary school section, though. He might go to DH's school.)

Couchpotato3 · 12/07/2019 19:28

Agree with PPs that it is seen as a positive to have staff children in school - it's a good selling point for other prospective parents and it ties in both the child and the teacher. Discounts vary a lot, depending on the school's financial health. The massive increase in teacher pension contributions for employers that are coming in September will probably mean that a lot of school cut back their staff discounts - it can be a huge financial burden for the school. It will probably be mentioned in the information that you get when applying for a job, but no harm in asking the bursar. You might also be eligible for a bursary if you would struggle to pay the fees, but again, availability and criteria vary massively between schools. Good luck!

joanofbarc · 12/07/2019 19:31

I’m really anti children attending the same school their parents work at. I would avoid.

unicorncupcake · 12/07/2019 19:32

Be wary. If you want to leave and they are settled, it becomes very complicated very quickly.

Spinnaret · 12/07/2019 19:42

I would also consider what happens at secondary level. Your child is used to the prep environment and can you then afford to continue all the way through?

I have a friend who has managed to find a prep school to teach in, with 50% fee discount. The nearest secondary gives her about 30% as well. Not sure there are many similar set ups.

Original poster
mathematicalmummy · 12/07/2019 23:14

Thank you, that’s very helpful. Lots to think about. @joanofbarc can I ask why?

OP posts:
Geraniumpink · 13/07/2019 09:42

I should ask the school as the percentage discount and length of discount can vary. Also it does tie you in for the length of time the child is there. But if it is a good school, it’s not a problem at all.

birthdayblues31 · 13/07/2019 12:45

My kids are at mine, it's 50% off but they were there before I started to work there. I saw the school as a parent first and realised just how much I'd love teaching there. They're in prep now but will stay until they're 18.

joanofbarc · 13/07/2019 12:49

Math - I think both parent and child need time apart. Your child can’t relax and be themselves and nor, properly, can you.

Think about things like - your child wanting a sleepover, pupils you teach seeing you eating cornflakes in the morning for example.

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