For those working within the independent sector there is a clear career ladder available. Most teachers would say that they really enjoy their chosen career.
Once you have gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you become a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). You will continue your training, within a school, as an NQT for a year. You will have a planned programme organised by your school and overseen by the NQT appropriate body, which is the Schools Teacher Induction Panel (IStip) for the vast majority of independent schools. You are expected to pass this NQT Induction year to be a fully qualified teacher.
For those working within the independent sector there is a clear career ladder available. Some teachers choose to go on to become the head of an academic department and some of these go on to be a director of studies, deputy head and headteacher. Some teachers prefer a pastoral route, going on to be heads of year, house parents in boarding schools and then onto deputy head and head teacher. Some mix these two routes or take on other leadership roles within their school. There is a strongly supported career progression in all independent schools.
There is a tremendous range of schools within the independent sector from which teachers can choose: day, boarding, single sex, co-educational, faith, specialist music and dance, special schools, selective, non-selective, large, small, all through age range, nursery, 3-11, 3-13, 11-18, 11-16, overseas, international, rural, city, town.
A common route into teaching in independent schools is one year working in schools as an unqualified teacher followed by an on-the-job PGCE with the University of Buckingham.
More experienced but unqualified teachers can take the Assessment Only route to QTS (eg University of Buckingham).
You are welcome to email web@isc.co.uk if you have further questions.
