On the go: Teachers working in the Girls’ Day School Trust’s independent schools have voted to strike over the trust’s plan to exit the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
The GDST, a group of 23 independent schools and two academies, put the proposal to a consultation in September, after new regulations came into force that allow independent schools to begin a phased withdrawal from the TPS for future employees, while allowing existing staff to remain as active members.
It cited a 43 per cent hike in contributions in 2019 as having made the existing arrangement unaffordable. While the government has absorbed the cost of employer contribution increases for the maintained sector, including the GDST’s two academies, the trust has been left with a rise in contributions from a rate of 16.48 per cent to 23.68 per cent.
According to the GDST, 280 independent schools had already left the TPS. Its collective consultation period with the National Education Union ends on January 28. GDST trustees will consider feedback from teachers before making a final decision in the last week of February.
Exiting the scheme would leave teachers at least 20 per cent worse off on average in terms of the annual amount they receive in their pension payments, according to the union.
A ballot of NEU members, which was conducted at the end of 2021, yielded 95 per cent support for strike action, with a turnout of 84 per cent.
“We sincerely hope that strikes can be averted. We call on the GDST to withdraw the proposal to leave the TPS,” said Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU.
Should the industrial action proceed, it will be the first strike in the trust’s 149-year history. Dates have yet to be set for the strike.
Cheryl Giovannoni, GDST chief executive, said: “The ballot result shows the strength of feeling we know exists among our teachers who are NEU members in respect of the proposed changes to teachers’ pensions.
“We are, of course, disappointed with the result, but our priority is to continue working closely with our schools to ensure our students are able to continue learning effectively during this time.
“We urge the NEU not to call for strike action before any decisions are made, or any further proposals are put forward.”
