Maintained Schools
Starting your career in a state maintained school
What is a maintained or 'state maintained' school?
If you work in a state-maintained school, you’re contractually employed by the local authority to deliver the national curriculum which encompasses literacy and numeracy strategies. This means you’re paid according to the National Pay Spine, and are required to work 195 days in any academic year. 190 of these are to teach pupils and five days are for staff development.
Why consider working in state-maintained schools?
- There is a clear, structured pay scale for all state teachers. It is usual for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) to start on M1 of the pay scale.
- You are not bound to take after-school clubs or undertake a duty during your lunch hour.
- There is a high level of professionalism required of state education teachers. To ensure this level continues to improve, the LA provides additional training courses along with in-service training days in school.
To teach in the state sector teachers need to have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). To gain this, you are required to have a degree and a formal teaching qualification suitable for the age group and subject you wish to teach. In England and Wales you must also complete an induction period within four years of gaining your teaching qualification.
As part of your pay and conditions you are required to:
- Teach and have pastoral responsibilities for your students
- Report on students progress
- Maintain order and discipline
- Prepare students for examinations
- Attend staff meetings and parents’ evenings
- Attend in-service training.
Want to know more? Search for schools in your area!
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