Staff at an Ascot private school are set to take industrial action for the second time in its 223-year history.

This comes after a dispute over pensions among Governors of the school and teachers affiliated with the National Education Union.

LVS Ascot is a longstanding Berkshire private boarding school located on London Road in the heart of Ascot.

Teachers are hitting back after the School Governors decided to scrap the current government-run Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) for a new privately operated defined contribution scheme.

According to the National Education Union, this is thought to be ‘inferior’ to the original scheme which guarantees benefits based on career length and salary.

The School Governors have also pitched a controversial ‘fire and rehire’ stipulation which has been faced with opposition from members of the TPS.

The strikes will begin outside the school on Wednesday, April 24 and include a further five dates throughout May.

Previous teacher strikes at the school took place in 2010.

Nick Childs, Senior Regional Officer, NEU said: “We are calling for the Governors to withdraw pension changes and to suspend further consideration of changes to teachers’ pension provision. We demand that the school give us a commitment not to fire and rehire staff.”

“The teaching staff have engaged in good faith with the Governors in the consultation process to try to resolve this issue without the need for industrial action. The Governors' current position represents a materially adverse change to existing staff contracts.

“NEU members do not engage in this action lightly, but it is clear to them that industrial action is their only resort in this situation.” 

The strike action is planned for the following dates:

  • Wednesday        24 April 2024
  • Tuesday             30 April 2024
  • Wednesday       01 May 2024
  • Tuesday             07 May 2024
  • Wednesday       08 May 2024
  • Thursday           09 May 2024

 

Picket lines will be formed between the hours of 7:30am and 9:30am at the gates to the school.

The Licence Trade charity said: "Following the announcement by Government of an increase in employer contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) to 28.68% from April 2024 which represents an increase of 74% in 5 years, an additional cost of c £657,000 per annum to the Charity, Trustees initiated a consultation with staff.   

"The consultation with staff to withdraw from participation with the TPS and offer access to an alternative portable pension scheme with a choice of contribution structures that include a generous employer contribution was completed and passed in March this year.  

"The Charity is saddened at the decision by teaching unions to protest.  Maintaining our high standards for a safe environment, as well as ensuring the continuity of education for our students is our priority.  Arrangements have been made to ensure both during this time and we do not anticipate disruption to our students’ timetables.  

"The wellbeing and care of our community is always our priority. The Charity is a responsible employer with policies in place to ensure a safe and inclusive working environment. Remuneration packages reflect the teaching pay scale and include a generous package of benefits."

The strikes at LVS Ascot come after teachers at St Mary’s Boarding School made the decision to take industrial action in March over pension disputes.