From teaching in private sector to state sector

[elizabethDilemma]

Hi,
I trained in the state sector and worked in a boys grammar for 3 years. Recently I have been working as a Head of Department in a private girls schools. I have been a teaching for 20 years but taught in an academic private girls schools for the last 10. I want to teach my subject to A Level and this is not likely in a small girls private school. I am considering moving to a local mixed state school but am scared of the classroom management as the classes will be bigger and the students more challenging. Has anyone else done this and does anyone have any advice?

What's behaviour like in the schools you've worked in? It's not always better in private schools. But if behaviour is good and you're moving to a state comprehensive, then yes, it will be different, you'll need to learn some new behaviour management techniques. Depending on the school, it can be very challenging, and that can be wearing. Moving to a school with strong, supportive, leadership is key. Avoid any where the policies mean the classroom teacher is forever chasing up behaviour incidents (I've seen policies where the teacher needs to contact home for every misdemeanor. Avoid those), or where the sanction is "restorative conversations" alone.

Thank you! The schools I've worked in recently have had barely any behaviour issues. The worst behaviour was bit of silliness, chatting and following up hmk thT hasnt been handed in. Funnily enough I've heard talk of restorative conversations at this new school. Hmmmmm. Thanks so much for your reply.

There are plenty of indies that have 6th forms -why not apply to one of those? I would never go back to state.

What's your subject? If it's an A level.onky one such as psychology or economics it would be fairly ok in state but after that long in private (I'm similar) state KS3/4 might be a challenge

Thanks. It's Computer Science so would involve Ks3, 4 and 5.

I haven't applied for the state school job. It was a bit of a kneejerk reaction to something that happened. Going to keep those TES alerts on and keep looking next year.

Thanks everyone for your advice. X