Frances Rafferty’s report of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers comments about teaching conditions in independent schools (TES, August 18) does not do justice to the vast majority of good prep schools.
As some ATL colleagues know from our many working contacts, heads cannot join the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools unless their schools offer salaries at least equivalent to teachers’ entitlement under government scales. The overwhelming majority of our members’ schools abide by this requirement, even in a period of recession.
Moreover, IAPS recommends model contracts for teachers in its members’ schools, incorporating good employment practice and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Cathy Moorhouse is hardly qualified to comment on the powers of prep school associations since, so far as I am aware, she has never discussed them with us.
JOHN MORRIS
General Secretary Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools
