Final day of strikes for Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
It's in a dispute over pensions
Three days of strikes are coming to an end today for teachers at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.
National Education Union (NEU) members began their strike on Tuesday (March 19), continuing yesterday and concluding today (March 21).
They've taken to the picket line in a dispute over their pensions, as its reported School Governors have put forward changes to the pension arrangements for those included in the Teacher’s Pension Scheme.
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is a government-run scheme that guarantees benefits based on career length and salary. All state schoolteachers and most of those working in independent schools are members of the TPS.
The NEU say the proposed changes would mean that teachers would see a pay cut of 3.5% from Jan 2025 to maintain membership in the TPS.
In a release from the NEU, they say teachers have said, “Full membership of the TPS is a valuable part of a teacher’s remuneration, especially in our school where neither the main teaching pay scales nor the teaching responsibility allowances are in line with other local schools. Teaching is not a lucrative profession but one that you join with a sense of dedication to the success of your students. We all care for and value the school, and we feel privileged to work with such talented students but, despite this, we have to face financial realities”.
Paul McLaughlin, Regional Secretary for the NEU said:
“The NEU regret being forced into a position where members have to take strike action to defend their pay and conditions. We hoped and have tried, to avoid this through constructive dialogue but the Governors have so far refused to negotiate. We call on the Governors to talk to us and avoid further damage to the school’s reputation and students learning. This dispute can be resolved through compromise not through management taking an intransigent position.”
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio on the picket line, Kim Vollerthun, Regional Organiser of the NASUWT, said: "The teachers are giving up their pay and giving up their ability to work with the students to be visible to students, because the parents are the one's ultimately that have an impact on the school.
"The public pressure on the school will hopefully convince the school that what they're doing is morally and financially a bad idea."
Kim is also warning that the action may continue if an agreement can't be reached.
"It will continue unless the school comes and negotiates in a meaningful manner with the trade unions, which they're currently refusing to do."
What does Tring Park School for the Performing Arts say?
A statement from Simon Larter-Evans, Principal at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, states they always have been committed to the well-being of its teaching staff, and that the consultation is ongoing, with no decisions made yet.
They're proposing a hybrid pensions option to be introduced for their teachers, enabling the school to remain in the TPS and to introduce a new, defined contribution pension scheme to run along side it.
The statement also states they've "encouraged an open dialogue with affected staff" and say with that in mind, "it is disappointing that the NEU and NASUWT have instigating industrial action."
Priorities for the school, in the statement, say they're working to "mitigate the impact of that action on pupils and parents."
The full statement can be seen below.
Simon Larter-Evans, Principal at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, said: "Tring Park School for the Performing Arts has always been committed to the well-being of its teaching staff, including providing a sustainable and beneficial pension scheme. However, considering the historic changes to the Teacher Pension Scheme (TPS), the imminent increase in employer contributions, and unknown potential future increases, we have been forced to reevaluate our current pension funding approach.
"The School’s teachers are currently offered membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). The TPS is a public sector defined benefit pension scheme in respect of which HM Government sets the level of contributions which must be made by members and their employers. The rates of contribution are set by way of four yearly valuations of the scheme over which the School has no control.
"In October last year it was announced that the TPS employer contribution rate will rise by over 20% (from 23.68% to 28.68% of teachers’ salaries) from April 2024. This follows an increase from 16.48% to 23.68% in September 2019. This latest increase presents a significant financial risk to the School and Governors are concerned that the associated cost may not be affordable without compromising the quality of education that the School provides to its students given our budgetary constraints.
"The principal difficulty that independent schools face is that the additional employer contribution under the TPS comes straight out of the fees which parents pay, whereas in the State Sector it is funded by the taxpayer. This has compelled a significant number of independent schools to leave the TPS or put in place alternative arrangements.
"It is important to highlight that, unlike many schools, we are not proposing to remove the TPS as a benefit for existing eligible staff or to reduce the cost of the current 23.68% employer contribution. We fully understand the value that many of our staff place in the TPS, and therefore wish to retain the ability for current staff to remain in the TPS, if they wish to do so.
"We are therefore proposing that a hybrid pensions option be introduced for our teachers which means that the School would both remain in the TPS and introduce a new defined contribution pension scheme to run alongside it.
"The consultation is ongoing, and no decisions have been made. We have encouraged an open dialogue with affected staff, with the consultation group responding to a large number of questions and suggestions to date. In this context, it is disappointing that the NEU and NASUWT have instigated industrial action. We are taking all appropriate steps to mitigate the impact of that action on pupils and parents.
"Our priority remains to maintain the highest standards of education whilst ensuring fair compensation and benefits packages for the teachers that make that possible. We will continue to work closely with our staff and parents to ensure they are fully informed and supported during this period."