Many teachers have never contemplated working in the independent sector.

Every year, however, teachers join the GDST from the maintained sector, or as NQTs, and are pleasantly surprised by both the similarities and the differences.

Although not obliged to do so, our schools adhere to the core requirements of the National Curriculum as a minimum, enriched by foundation and other complementary subjects, demonstrating excellence in a range of specialist areas, such as music, art, sport, drama, classics and a host of extra-curricular activities.

There is a GDST-wide framework designed to support pupils with special needs and talents, and we are able to innovate and develop best curricular practice regardless of its origin.

Our pay structure is similar to that within the maintained sector. However, the maintained sector scale points are regarded as the minimum, not the maximum, resulting in significantly greater opportunity for pay progression. All our teachers are able to progress to the equivalent of U1 (beyond the threshold) without the need for formal performance assessment, and there is an extended discretionary pay scale above that. More than 55% of our teachers are already on the extended scale.

Details of current pay scales are set out in the separate 'Teachers' Pay' leaflet (available below). Additional financial incentives for shortage subject teachers may be available.

 GDST Teachers Pay leaflet.

Teaching with the GDST leaflet.