The national press recently estimated that at least 25 private schools could be up for sale, as pupil numbers diminish in the current economic climate. But while press stories focus on group takeovers and the effects for pupils and parents if schools have to close, where does all this leave teaching staff – and how can Eteach help?

Back in 2008, The Independent reported that three private prep schools had followed prestigious girls’ senior schools and shut down after falling pupil numbers pushed them into financial difficulties.

And this month, The Guardian quoted Jill Berry, the new president of the Girls’ Association, as saying that any independent school could face the risk of merger or closure even if they were very well run.

Meanwhile the Times reported that two private school chains are hoping to acquire more schools, with “one in negotiations to buy up to 15 schools to add to the 46 it already runs in the UK”.

It’s an uncertain and unsettling environment, for parents, for pupils – and not least, for school staff.

While we don’t have all the answers to the credit crunch, we can pitch in and offer support to staff if they are suddenly faced with the prospect of closure; in one recent case we were able to send an experienced team into a school to talk about the alternatives to staff who had worked there for years. And the good news is that head teachers are obliged to support staff in finding new positions in these situations, and so should welcome initiatives of this type.

Have you found your school in similar circumstances? Do you have any tips on how you might be able to gain support through these difficult times? Add a comment and let us know!

Scrap the SATs? This is a really hot topic, which has generated lots of discussion! On Saturday at the NUT conference held in Cardiff, delegates chanted “Scrap the SATS.” Some delegates felt that the chanting episode was setting a poor example for children. Do you think this was the best approach from delegates to get their message across? And what do you think about the SATs?

Teachers at the NUT conference also voted unanimously to boycott tests for seven and 11 year olds. We’re keen to hear your thoughts whether you’re a teacher, member of support staff, governor or parent/carer.

Post your views on our blog…

This week in the eteach office we have been talking about Mothering Sunday and which jobs fit well with family life. In the past teaching has been seen to be a career that fits well, with teachers being able to take holidays with their children and not have to worry about getting family or friends to cover the long vacations. I remember my own mother who was a teacher all her life, always being able to collect us after school and was rarely aware of her job affecting our family life.

Today in the light of the curriculum, assessment and after school activities I do not feel the original advantages associated with this job still exist in the same way. Large chunks of weekends are now spent creating huge amounts of planning and preparing for the coming week. Holidays are spent catching up with reports, assessment and filing and coordinator work. I have spent two weeks of my summer holiday washing lego and equipment in my new Reception class, because building work from the summer holiday had covered the whole lot in dust. Not fun I can tell you!

I believe that we need more teachers who are parents in education because they bring a wealth of additional experience to the job that can only benefit both pupils and schools. I look back on my own career and even though I felt I did a good job I would certainly have a greater empathy with parents and their concerns for their children had I been a parent then.

Finally I think schools could be missing a trick. All the working mums I know are extremely efficient and professional with their time. Rather than over looking them for posts because they can’t give you 24/7, how about thinking outside the box and offering more job shares or part time roles? I bet you would find them more effective for time they are with you and their maturity a real support for the younger staff.

Are you a parent looking to find a teaching role that fits in with your family life? Eteach offers many part time positions on our website. If you are a working parent let us know what you look for from a school you want to work in. Do you thinking teaching still works well with family life?

Gerry