Applying for Posts

It pays to research a school well before applying for a post. There is plenty of information available. Among the sources are the school's own prospectus and website, the inspection report of the Independent School Inspectorate and the School Search on this website.

Some schools will require an application form to be completed; others prefer a curriculum vitae. The accompanying letter is often the key to gaining an interview, for in it you have the chance to highlight your interest in that school and the special qualities you will bring to it. Some heads value a hand-written letter. All value a letter that is succinct.

The interview stage should provide good opportunities for you to learn about the school and its pupils, to meet key members of staff and to ask questions about the policies and practices of the school. Independent schools make less use of panel interviews than maintained schools do, and involve governors less in the process.

You will not necessarily be given a decision on the day of the interview, but you should expect to be told when the decision will be made. You may well be asked before you leave the interview how you are likely to respond should you be offered the position.

Search for Job Vacancies in independent schools
Use the ISC job search to search for a wide range of job vacancies in independent schools. We have job vacancies for a wide range of teaching and non-teaching jobs, including heads, boarding school heads, sixth form heads, teachers, teaching assistants, bursars, SENCos, form teachers, subject teachers, matrons and many more. Search by job title, subject, region and other options to narrow down your job search.