Teachers who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Leighton Park School are to go on strike as the school threatens to enforce pension changes by fire & re-hire.
Teachers who are members of the National Education Union at Leighton Park are preparing for six days of industrial action due to a dispute with the school governors about plans to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Strikes are currently planned for Tuesday 25th February, Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th March, with picket lines from 07:15am – 09:00am and 4.00pm – 6.15pm at both entrances for Leighton Park School, Shinfield Road, Berkshire, Reading RG2 7DE.
Members voted 100% in favour of strike action on a 73% turnout.
Leighton Park, a co-educational independent school for ages 11-18 years in Reading with approx. 565 day and boarding students. Fees are up to £52,905 a year. Founded in 1890 by the Quaker community, inspired by their vision of providing a balanced and inclusive education that nurtures academic excellence, personal integrity and social responsibility. In November 2023, Leighton Park was named ISA Senior School of the Year 2023/2024.
Recent notable alumni include Jim Broadbent (actor), Phil Dunster (actor), Jason Durr (actor), Eliza Bennet (actress and singer), Julian Bell (poet), Quentin Bell (writer), Michael Foot (politician) and Crispin Aubrey (civil rights campaigner).
What are the Governors proposing?
In November, Leighton Park School announced plans to withdraw teachers from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). They are offering a choice between a significantly reduced Direct Contribution (DC) scheme or allowing teachers to stay in TPS by sacrificing a further 7% of their salary.
Why are members in dispute?
Even though the school’s fees have gone up 36% over the last five years, teachers’ real-term take-home pay has gone down by 10%.
Whilst fulfilling their minimum legal obligations, the governing body has steadfastly refused to make any meaningful concessions to reach agreement with staff representatives as part of the consultation process. Instead staff have been threatened with fire & re-hire to enforce new reduced terms and conditions of employment leaving NEU members with no other alternative but to strike.
All this from a school which prides itself on having a ‘strong commitment to Quaker values’ — as identified in the school’s recent ISI report — where the respect, integrity and consensus are central pillars of the Quaker ethos.
Ali McNamara, Reading Branch Joint Secretary of NEU, said: “Staff find this unbelievable in a Quaker school they hold so dear where respect, integrity and consensus are key. Morale is at rock bottom and the only option left for teacher voices to be heard is to strike.”
She added, “No member of staff should be coerced into signing an altered contract under threat of dismissal. Throughout this process the teaching staff have engaged in good faith to try and resolve this issue without the need for industrial action. Members do not engage in this action lightly.”
Parents and interested members of the community are invited to join this WhatsApp Group to receive updates from the NEU regarding this dispute: https://tinyurl.com/247tkxmh
Leighton Park School have responded with a statement: “Leighton Park School acknowledges that a proportion of our teaching staff has voted to take strike action in response to proposed pension changes. While we respect their right to do so, our priority remains the education and wellbeing of our students.
“If strike action goes ahead the school will remain open, with contingency plans in place to minimise disruption.
“Like all independent schools we face rising financial pressures, including increased pension costs, VAT on school fees, and higher employer national insurance contributions. Employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) rose to 28.68% in April 2024. Unlike the maintained sector, independent schools must absorb these costs entirely through fees.
“This is a challenging time and the school remains committed to open dialogue with staff. We recognise our dedicated teachers are at the heart of our school and are forever grateful for their hard work and all they do to make Leighton Park a happy, thriving community.”
