Teachers to strike over job and pension cuts

Roedean School was founded in 1885 and it is an independent school for girls aged 11 to 18

Staff at a Brighton school are to strike over proposed job and pension cuts, the National Education Union (NEU) said.

Support staff and teachers at Roedean School are due to strike over proposals for 28 redundancies and pay cuts following a restructure.

The trustees also recommended a cap on the school's contributions to Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) at 22% and the NEU claims the school has plans to incorporate the "fire and rehire" procedure in contracts.

Roedean School has disputed the number of redundancies and said: "We are currently looking at how to manage costs in a fair way that does not impact on the overall high quality of education here."

Phil Clarke, NEU regional secretary, has called for Roedean School to withdraw their proposals

It continued: "Roedean School has not been immune to the significant cost pressures the sector has faced in recent years."

Phil Clarke, regional secretary of the NEU, said they are calling for both the "fire and rehire" idea and redundancies to be withdrawn.

The school has not commented on the "fire and rehire" claims.

Mr Clarke said: "NEU members do not engage in strike action lightly, but it is clear industrial action is their only option in this situation."

The current TPS contribution the school pays is 28.68%.

Should the revised pension contribution cap be approved, the NEU says teachers either have to fund the difference via reduced take-home pay or move to a "proposed inferior private contribution scheme".

"With the cost-of-living crisis, more support staff are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to live close to the school, and so the changes proposed by the employer are simply unacceptable," Mr Clarke added.

Roedean School said it continues "to discuss proposals with colleagues to work towards a resolution and avoid strike action".

The school was founded in 1885 and it is an independent school for girls aged 11 to 18.

The strikes are due to take place on 30 April and 6, 7, 13, 14 and 15 May.