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Original poster

teaching in an independent school

23 replies

sailingmummy · 23/02/2013 21:04

I have an interview for teaching at a very good HMC Independent school next week. All the advert said about the salary was generous and above state school pay.
Does anyone teach in an independent school, and how does the pay compare? What do you think 'generous' means?!!!

OP posts:

Knowsabitabouteducation · 23/02/2013 22:23

I don't think you should be focussing on remuneration. You should be thinking about contributing to the full life of the school.

If you attach a monetary value to everything you do, you should look for another position.

chibi · 23/02/2013 22:27

yes. it is insane to want to know what the salary is. you should be delighted to work for a half empty packet of hobnobs, and count yourself blessed

ffs

hopefully someone will be more forthcoming soon.

some indies have staff accommodation- a major perk and one which drastically reduces your outgoings

LadyPeterWimsey · 23/02/2013 22:32

My guess is that it will be generous compared to the state sector but IME they will then own you, especially if it is boarding, but even at a day school. You're expected to throw yourself into everything, and it will probably involve something on a Saturday too - coaching a sport team, supervising DofE, etc.

boardingschoolbaby · 23/02/2013 22:36

It is impossible to advise you- every one has their own pay scale. On the positives, most welcome you for almost all meals if you are around so no manky packed sandwiches. Pay is usually a little higher, but your hours will definitely be longer. Is it a boarding school or day? If it is boarding then you will probably have at least one late night per week. More if the job offers accommodation. Accommodation can come in a range as well- from totally subsidised and no bills to partial rent plus full bills. But remember that anything that you get "free" is usually in lieu of extra hours work eg on a boarding house and is also a taxable benefit so your tax bill goes up a little.
There is usually some negotiating room in the wages offered, so do ask. Good luck

corlan · 24/02/2013 13:44

knowsabitabouteducation Are you Michael Gove?

Arisbottle · 24/02/2013 13:47

Yes sailing mummy how dare you want to be able to feed and clothe your family. Offer to work for free .

Theas18 · 24/02/2013 13:53

Look at the whole package. You will work harder/longer child facing hours almost certainly.yes I know state school teachers don't go home at 3.30 etc....

How many evenings prep cover will you do /what are the our ooh hours commitments? IME there are a lot more parents evenings, concerts etc than state schools eg teach all year groups, expected to attend all parents evenings-may be even one for each year group per term, also price giving/speech days/opendays etc

Dh teaches prep and these are a substantial commitment.

Theas18 · 24/02/2013 13:54

Oh and remember you do not have to come out if the teachers pension scheme.starting in it us usually the best option

Theas18 · 24/02/2013 13:57

Meals....yes....dh gets lunch every day, but it is eaten with the boys- no dinner hall supervisors as such, so still full on teaching really, even though it's how to use a knife and fork and make polite conversation.lol.

Knowsabitabouteducation · 24/02/2013 18:20

On the plus side, no one will swear at you or throw anything at you.

These plusses are big and make all the minuses worthwhile.

Arisbottle · 24/02/2013 18:22

I have not been sworn at or had anything thrown at me, in the state sector.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 24/02/2013 18:26

I agree Arisbottle! what a strange thing to post, Knows!!

Original poster

sailingmummy · 24/02/2013 23:06

Thank you for the helpful replies, but some strange ones?!

The reason I need to get an inkling of the salary is that i am a single mum of two, who loves her job, but also needs to be able to afford to live, pay solicitors fees for my divorce etc...I'm not being greedy, but cautious about my financial security.

OP posts:

Arisbottle · 24/02/2013 23:15

You are doing the right thing, most of us have to take into account our salary when we choose a job .

Good luck.

ProphetOfDoom · 24/02/2013 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

sailingmummy · 24/02/2013 23:22

Thank you arisbottle and Schmalzting!

OP posts:

Original poster

sailingmummy · 24/02/2013 23:25

I'm post threshold - just a normal teacher at the mo, with happily no responsibilities other than teaching :)

Currently going through a divorce and putting family house up for sale, so I thought I may as well increase my stress by adding in a potential job change too!!!

I like to think of it as spring cleaning my life :)

OP posts:

lisad123everybodydancenow · 25/02/2013 14:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 25/02/2013 16:55

It's sometHing I have considered.
I love teaching in the state sector but do keep an eye out for the private positions that come up round here.

I have weighed up the increase in salary against any extra commitments I would be signing up for such as wrap around care, clubs and boarders.

I guess it's a job by job thing!

Good luck!

(Ps you are lucky, here in my state school, threshold has to come with a whole school commitment and responsibility )

BackforGood · 25/02/2013 17:11

My sis recently moved to Private. Being top of UPS and not wanting to be a DHT, she found her options severely limited for a move, so she applied to private. They matched her salary and gave her around £1500 extra to be HoY (only 2 classes!).
Yes, she sits with the children at lunchtime, but is fed nice food and I think it's fair to say an all round different experience from when I used to sit with my class in Special school . She doesn't work any longer hours (teaches Reception) than in state, but she gets considerably longer holidays. It's little things she notices, like really nice coffee in the staff room (I know, we're easily pleased, aren't we? ), but not only that - for the first time in her life, she doesn't have to pay into tea fund, it's all provided. The same with Christmas Party, and Summer BBQ - doesn't come out of her pocket.
She does say that some of the staff live on site, and they get extra duties, but she doesn't.
I understand there are generous discounts for children of staff - don't know if that's something you'd want?

Tearsofthemushroom · 25/02/2013 18:02

You will need to think carefully about childcare as many independent schools have Saturday school or expectations for a lot of extra-curricular involvement at weekends. If boarding then expect one evening until 11pm as the norm. Pay can vary a lot and the complete package can be worth a lot more if you have free housing or take subsidised places for your DC (will be worth £12k after tax for us).

NeverMindOhWell · 26/02/2013 04:50

Hi my DH is head of department in quite a prestigious state school and earns £42k. However, he is expected to do one boarding duty a week (till 9pm), one Sunday duty per term (9am-6pm), Saturday school once a fortnight (8am-6pm) and teaches 8-6 during the week. There are also meetings after school (at least 1 per fortnight), he has to attend every parents evening, prize giving, camping trips etc. parents evenings involve a consultation followed by a sit down meal with parents (and plenty of wine!), usually lasting till about 10pm (and this is after having started work at 8am).

So it is pretty full on but he does get really long holidays, but boy does he need them!

NeverMindOhWell · 26/02/2013 04:50

Sorry, I meant he works at a prestigious PREP school, not state!

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