Another week of strikes at St Mary's Ascot school after mediation falls through

Teachers have gone on strike three more times this week at St Mary’s School Ascot – after an attempt at mediation by the union fell through.

The Catholic boarding school saw teachers striking last month for the first time in the school’s 140-year history.

These were regarding the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), a government-run scheme which guarantees benefits based on career length and salary.

All state schoolteachers and most of those working in independent schools are members of the TPS.

According to National Education Union (NEU), one of two trade unions involved, the school has proposed to cap its contribution to the TPS at 23.68 per cent.

They say this means teachers will see a pay cut of five per cent from September 1.

St Mary’s teachers with the union wrote in an open letter to parents that TPS is an industry standard and ‘a significant part of a teacher’s remuneration’.

The decision to continue the strikes, is ‘a last-resort step’, the union says.

Mediated resolution through ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) was made by unions, but not accepted by the employer.

Nick Childs, senior regional officer for NEU said,

“We are calling for the Governors to withdraw the current proposals and to suspend further consideration of changes to teachers’ pension provision.

“The Governors' current proposal represents a materially adverse change to existing staff contracts”.

“It is disappointing that school Governors have rejected the unions’ proposal of independent mediation from ACAS, as it is the earnest desire of teachers to end strike action and reach a meaningful agreement over pensions.

“NEU members do not engage in this action lightly, but it is clear to them, with the rejection of ACAS by the employer, that continued industrial action is their only resort in this situation.”

St Mary’s School Ascot was contacted for comment.