Private school?

[Gunghoing]

Currently off with COVID and reflecting on the shit show that my current school is. I won't bore you with the details but I will admit that when I saw that positive LTF I actually felt relieved to be able to not go back to work. Even though I'm actually really poorly, it's still a relief that I can have a reason to be off.

I've begun applying for jobs elsewhere. I've spent 11 years of my life teaching in a deprived area where genuinely "good" and "outstanding" schools are gold dust. So I've only ever worked in schools that are either inadequate or teetering on the edge of inadequate.

I'm so done and burnt out. Im sick of SLT making daft decisions and OFSTED being a constant focus (screw what good practise is, just follow the tick box approaches).

Im looking to move to a new city, with much more opportunity and a private school job has come up. I've zero experience of private. I have a friend who works there and enjoys it. Swings and roundabouts but she certainly isn't as burnt out as I am.

It's only a year contract, which suits me fine at the moment.

Can I know your experience of private?

I moved from state to private a few years ago and I've never looked back! There are pros and cons of both so it's not perfect but I enjoy my day to day teaching again. We regularly recruit from the state sector. Good luck!

That's good to hear. I'm just done with inadequate shit schools. Perhaps private will reignite my passion!

I've worked in private prep schools (juniors) for most of my career, with a couple of years spent in state. The hours in work are longer (kids come in 8.20 & leave at 4) and I do 3 duties plus a lunch time club. I have to do 2 assemblies to parents plus a production per year and work shops, Saturday open mornings etc and there's plenty of paper work. However, I have an extra 3 hours PPA time and a class of 13 (although I do teach other subjects to classes of 20). The pay in this particular school is the same as state. Overall, the work load is as heavy but the actual teaching is far more pleasant and easier with none of the behaviour issues you find in state.

I've taught private my entire career. I would't change. It makes demands of you in many ways but I love my job and the colleagues, and kids I teach.

What's the pension situation? Are they still in TPS?

I'm unsure of the pension situation but this is only a one year contract. I will hand my notice in with no job to go to if it comes to it and do supply so the pension doesn't bother me in the short term.

Yes, I saw that the duties/length of the day etc is much longer. However they get 4weeks more school holidays a year too. Classes of about 20. And lunch is longer than I'm used to.

Im currently working on my application and doubting whether I will be good enough for private after all my years in inadequate schools.

Don't think that. Just go in positive and tell them about the progress the kids have made with you. Offer clubs /extra curricular activities - private schools always ask about that. Most of my colleagues are from state schools and with state school backgrounds - the best worked at tough state schools for years then moves into private. Good luck!

@Gunghoing

I'm unsure of the pension situation but this is only a one year contract. I will hand my notice in with no job to go to if it comes to it and do supply so the pension doesn't bother me in the short term.

Yes, I saw that the duties/length of the day etc is much longer. However they get 4weeks more school holidays a year too. Classes of about 20. And lunch is longer than I'm used to.

Im currently working on my application and doubting whether I will be good enough for private after all my years in inadequate schools.

Don't think like that! The teachers in a private school are no better than teachers in a state school, just different kids to work with! I thought the same as you, that there was no way I would get the job, but I did!. If it makes you feel better, at my school we recently had a job advert out and we struggled to get applicants. So it might not be as competitive as you think at private schools, especially for a temporary post. Good luck

Thank you both! I'm hoping the pool of candidates might be smaller because it's only a year and starting in April.

I've got loads to offer. I've read through my personal statement and it's like I'm reading about another, competent person I've done so much and I've ticked off every single part of their person specification apart from being first aid qualified!

I will take this in stages: part 1 is send application.
Part 2 - panic if I get an interview
Part 3 - come back on mumsnet for a boost

not all private schools have opted out of TPS. And there will be an alternative if they have. You will also probably get a free lunch and as a result, a very quick rapport with your colleagues. Nothing like eating together daily to help get to know people. I have to confess that I frequently do supply on the extra weeks off, largely because I think it's important from a behaviour management point of view (there is much less behaviour management in private), but the extra time off is a bonus, particularly if you have small children as you will get to see their end of term stuff without any hassle. There is also the fee remission if you ever want them to attend the school.

I am a very ordinary teacher - capable, but by no means the best, and I got my independent school role on a supply contract and just never left. As a PP has said, recruitment isn't necessarily the competitive process you would expect it to be - lots of people assume because they don't have a degree from Oxbridge they won't be considered so never actually apply. It's really not like that. The biggest thing is having something to bring alongside your teaching from an ex-curricular point of view. If you have done trips, clubs etc. play that up. If you play a musical instrument and would be happy to support the music department by playing in an orchestra or singing in a choir, put that as well. Any sports experience at a competitive level, even if years ago, would also be useful but so is coaching experience or qualifications in just about any sport.

In the end, teaching is teaching and children are children. The basics are the same.

I would check out the pension. Don’t just think to yourself ‘it’s just one year’ because it could easily turn into 5 and if you find yourself in a school without the TPS you will kick yourself in the future, and once you’re established and comfortable in one without, you might just stay for and easy life. Honestly, being in the TPS is a huge big deal and will make a massive difference to your retirement, so really only look at schools that remain.

Absolutely consider private. But you need to know all about the school and it’s ethos before the interview. You need to understand what’s important to the parents and about moving into senior schools and entrance exams and the major importance of extra curricular. The school will contract you to do extra curriculars - so make sure you know what sport is offered and other stuff and be clear what you can bring to the school and offer. This is a big part of it. Expect to be working lunchtimes and doing after school sessions and some weekends, but also don’t be a mug and just say ‘yes’ to ridiculous amounts because it’s at interview and then the contract discussion stage they try to sign you up for vast amounts.

Be clear that you have high academic standards and understand how to get kids to the top levels as well as helping everyone do their best. Make sure you are clear how the Prep fits with the local senior schools and the bigger picture in area, as parents are very focused on next stages and Preps need to always have their eye on that.

Talk to that friend of yours more and anyone else you know in the independent sector, to get a real feel for the slightly different emphasis and see if you can do a visit.

And believe in yourself. If you’re a good teacher, you can be a good teacher there. You’ll want to emphasise what you’ve done and can carry across, not the issues of struggling schools.

You’ve probably got a good chance. April start always limits the pool.