I felt I must write to add to the good advice of Theodora Griff on state school teachers’ applying for private school jobs (“Independent dilemma”, TESpro, 1 February). Independent schools value enormously the experience that colleagues from the maintained sector bring, and anyone considering moving into the private sector should be encouraged to do so. When I was head of an Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) institution, I welcomed state school teacher applications. Independent schools are looking for great teachers, and coming from the state sector is no barrier to achieving a job offer.

Julie Robinson, Education and training director, IAPS.