Friday 22nd March

Independent Schools have much longer holidays than state schools...

• Yes

• No

• Some do, but others are very similar

Answer explanation

At QE we have 8eeks holiday a year and 10 weeks where we are 'not required' to be in school. So although we have longer days and some weekend duties, we are compensated with the extra holidays! These are the holidays that differ to state schools:

2 weeks at October Half Term

3 Weeks at Christmas

8 Weeks for the Summer Holidays

We do come back during the last week of August for a week of INSET training. Other than this week and 3 days of INSET at the end of the year we have no other INSET days - this was decided to make time for a 2 week October Half Term.

Teaching is much easier in an independent school. The class sizes are so much smaller!

• Agree

• Disagree

• Not Sure

Answer explanation

Teaching in an independent school is almost identical to teaching in a state school, young people vary widely based on their background but teaching regardless of this background still has its challenges!

Class sizes in most independent schools are slightly smaller than in state schools but not by much!

It is common for class sizes to be upwards of 20-24 up to KS4.

Behaviour is so much better in an independent school. They just sit in silence don't they...

• True - there is no behaviour at all in an independent school!

• False - Behaviour is identical to in a state school.

• False - Behaviour is still a challenge. Low level disruption is always something requiring effective management in any school

Answer explanation

Although you are more are unlikely to encounter "Higher Level" behaviour in an independent school, low level disruption is still present.

Teaching in an independent school requires equally as effective planning to minimise low level disruption and maximise engagement & learning.

Behaviour management knowledge, experience and strategies are just as important as they are at other school.

You have to work on a Saturday in an independent school.

• True

• False

• Sometimes

Answer explanation

Some independent schools consider Saturday to be part of the school week. Others have set it aside for sport (which all staff are required to participate in). A few have a mixture of the two, with lesson in the morning and sport in the afternoon.

At QE there is no Saturday school, but sports fixtures frequently take place on a Saturday. However, all staff have a certain number of hours of "Weekend Duties" that they have to fulfil over the course of the year. It equates to 2 days of duty which we choose to fit our schedules. These duties include sports fixture supervision, boarding shopping trips, day trips, on-site activities supervision or open days.

Independent schools want so much more from their staff in terms of time.

• Agree

• Disagree

• A bit of both!

Answer explanation

It depends on your perspective! Independent schools are communities and have their own ethos that you really need to "buy into". The more you put in the more you get back! At QE our days are longer and we have a limited number of extra commitments. But then our holidays are longer!

There are voluntary opportunities to help out with sports clubs, DofE, CCF, Brownies as well as the chance to accompany trips both in the UK and worldwide! We also have a huge range of professional development opportunities to choose from, including: Minibus licences, coaching, mental health training and access to NPQs.

You need an extra qualification to teach at an Independent School

• True

• False

Answer explanation

You do not need any extra qualifications or training to teach at an independent school. The requirements are exactly the same as State Schools.

When working at an independent school that are also many of the same opportunities as the state sector.

At QE staff are completing Masters level Qualifications, NPQSL, NPQH and NPQLTD as well as a huge array of in-house qualifications, many of which are (or will be) formally accredited.