What would you teachers do?

[TeachingJobDilemma]

Hi,
My DS is on a full time PGCE course this year, based in London. He has made a few applications for NQT positions in his subject starting in September 2021, and today has received two job offers. He is genuinely torn between them, each has its own advantages and drawbacks.
School One is a private, smaller (500 to 600 pupils) school in central London, School Two is a selective state, (apart from 6th form), large school (1000+) in outskirts of London. Salary higher in School One and it is closer with shorter journey time on public transport. Could however drive to School Two.
Currently DS is on PGCE placement with School Two so knows the staff well, knows school ethos, understands lesson plans etc. It is a teaching school and very well regarded with good results. School One is also increasingly well regarded, also good results, but with a smaller more "family' atmosphere and in the recent past was possibly considered next tier down from the top flight of SW London schools.
I guess I am looking for advice on his behalf as to whether it is better to go for School Two for NQT years - state before private, possibly better on CV to have been offered initial job there/ recognised "teaching school" for PGCE placements ? Is it "done" to move from private to state in the future? Would a top tier school ( whether state or independent) prefer to employ a qualified teacher from a recognised high performing state school than a smaller independent school? Or does that not matter? I doubt that there will be significant behaviour issues/ very mixed abilities to deal with in either school, and both appear to have significant funding for EdTech and resources.

Thanks for any insight from those already in the staffroom!

I have friends that work in both, but my friends at private schools have more resources at school, more freedom in their curriculum and get paid more. My friends at state school have the moral high ground and feel they are helping those who can't afford a better education, and have less out of the classroom responsibilities and are able to leave work the minute the school day ends. Most people I know tend to stay in the type of school they start in, though if they do move, they tend to move into private and stay there. It's his choice, but if I were him I personally would go private.

It's swings and roundabouts as there's good and bad in each.
I've known friends in private schools feel liberated by the freedom they have in their classroom and the level of professional autonomy they have, but then shackled by very demanding parents who seem to think they are buying a GCSE grade, rather than paying for an education where their child's work/attitude will lead to a grade. They've enjoyed being involved on enrichment, but also found there was an expectation to stay back most nights to catch up students who've been out on sports or music or drama.

Thanks both.
I think he's decided, after advice from several head teachers and his mentor at his PGCE course, to accept the state school position. Apparently this will provide credibility/kudos to his CV, showing commitment to the state sector, along with the ability ( in the case of this school) to teach very high achieving pupils in a renowned school and so will appeal to both state and private sector when he applies for his next job. In the short term, easier to explain/justify to the independent....

That's probably a good choice. Congratulations to him.

In my area quite a few state schools don't view private school candidates as strong candidates unless they've got some state background as it's a world away from state.

For what it's worth, I've not known anyone going from state to private have to justify why they taught in the state sector. They've had to do what they would do for any teaching job: demonstrate the skills and aptitude required to do the job well at the school they're applying for.
Typically for independent they are able to demonstrate excellent teaching and subject knowledge. The demands at KS3 in many independents are higher than a good number of state schools in my experience. Independents typically want to see high performance with able students, or an ability to show how someone can stretch able students. They also value enrichment a lot more. When I looked round an independent, they were very interested in what I could offer around the school day and spent as much time talking to me about what clubs I've done and my wider interests as they did my subject teaching. In the end independent wasn't for me / wasn't the right move at the time so I didn't apply, but it was a very different visit compared to state school visits.