State vs Independent School

[Anvesha07]

Hi everyone,

Like many others, I find teaching challenging, but I haven’t been able to secure anything outside the profession yet. I’m trying to understand whether state schools are similar to independent schools when it comes to inflexibility, long working hours, expectations to run after‑school clubs, weekly parent contact as a tutor, lower pension, and frequent cover duties.

I’m also wondering about salary differences. Is pay in the state sector generally lower than in the private sector? I’m the sole earner and currently not full‑time, so I’m taking on additional jobs just to make ends meet.

For context, I teach in a sixth form.
(Independent School)

I teach in a state school and would love to hear experiences from people who have moved from state to private.

I can’t really comment as I’m still doing my PGCE but I’ve just secured my first teaching position at an independent school, to start in sept obviously. I’m just finishing my first placement at a state primary and it is wild. I’m no stranger to state schools and have worked in them and also SEMH schools…. But I am so relieved I get to start at a local indie in September and actually be able to teach!

It’s difficult to compare pay as it can be very school dependent. I worked in one private school that capped all staff at maximum UPS2. Another had its own generous pay scale (but has since withdrawn from TPS). Pay at my current state school is generous, but there are frequent cover duties.