Plans by more than 50 independent schools to close membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme for new teachers will “hinder movement between sectors and schools” the NEU has warned.
The TES reports that while official figures show 22 schools are planning a “phased” withdrawal from the scheme by the end of February, the real figure could be over 50.
By November last year, 287 schools had already left the TPS or had informed officials of their plans to do so, after the government raised the rate of of employers’ contributions by 43 per cent in 2019.
Independent schools have been able to stage a phased withdrawal from the TPS since September 2021 allowing existing staff to remain in the scheme, with new staff offered an alternative.
The Girls’ Day School Trust recently opted for the phased approach as part of a deal to end strike action by teachers over plans to withdraw entirely.
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, said: “The NEU strongly believes that all teachers, regardless of phase or sector, should enjoy a good pension. The TPS is an integral part of a teacher’s remuneration.
“Segregating teachers on such a key term of employment will build walls. It will damage the attractiveness and unity of the teaching profession as a whole; hinder movement between sectors and schools; hamper a school’s ability to recruit and retain quality teachers; and hit younger teachers hard.”
David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), said the ISC and ISBA had lobbied for the “phased” withdrawal option and it mitigated unaffordable increases in employer contributions over time.