Some still value experience

1st September 2006, 1:00am
I am a daughter of working-class parents and a proud product of a comprehensive school with three degrees, a postdoctoral fellowship, and a PGCE. I have also been a successful teacher at an independent school.

At 37, despite several applications, I have never been interviewed by a state school although I am one of the system’s successes.

This is not sour grapes - I am not the only young academic in this situation. I love learning, sharing knowledge and helping people to fulfil their academic potential. But now I want to leave teaching and see little potential for career development in the UK - and that makes me sad.

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