Teachers at an independent Ascot boarding school have taken to the picket line today following pay disputes and disputes over their pensions.

St Mary’s School, established in 1885, is one of Berkshire’s top independent boarding schools for girls and has been attended by several members of the Royal family and several famous alumni.

The strike action which will take place on March 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 will be the first time that teachers have taken industrial action over pay in its 139-year history.

The teachers who are members of the National Education Union will stand at the picket line at the school between 7:30 am and 9:30 am on the dates listed.

The strike action comes as School Governors have put forward changes to the pension arrangements for those included in the Teacher’s Pension Scheme.

The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is a government-run scheme that guarantees benefits based on career length and salary. All state schoolteachers and most of those working in independent schools are members of the TPS. 

The proposed changes would mean that teachers would see a pay cut of five percent from September 1 to maintain membership in the TPS.

The Governors have said that if necessary a controversial “fire and rehire” procedure would be put in place to force through the changes to teachers contracts.

This has been deemed ‘unacceptable’ by the teaching staff.

Nick Childs, Senior Regional Officer, 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 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 proposal 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 school released a letter to parents before the strike action, reassuring them that they had a comprehensive plan in place for the continuation of their student's education during the strikes.

The chair of Governors and Headmistress said that the changes are the result of the increases in employer contribution to the TPS, which rose from 16.48 percent to 23.68 percent and will again rise to 28.68 percent on April 1, 2024.

Students at St Mary’s School in Ascot have expressed their solidarity with the teachers saying that 'after years of going along with government education reforms in the past, they are waving the "independent school flag"'.

The News has contacted St Mary’s for a comment.