Pensions in private schools: TPS withdrawal

[Elthamjohn]

Has anyone gone through this? I am really worried that my school might be about to leave the TPS, and I just don’t know where to begin…

Would they offer an alternative? What have other schools done? How do you understand what a good deal is compared to the TPS?

Just seen in the news that James Allen's s Girls' School ('JAGS') in south east London are out on strike over TPS for a number of days in May/June.

JAGS are quite a big named school. Will be interesting to see his this develops, particularly given the likely changing landscape of private school costs to parents. I would imagine private schools are trying to attract new pupils more than ever, and striking staff would be off-putting to prospective parents.

Related question: is it usual for private school staff to have to give 2 terms' notice? The state school where I work recently had to withdraw a job offer to a private school candidate because their current school wouldn't release them until Christmas (we needed them for September).

It's usually one full term, so they would have to give notice before the beginning of the summer term in order to leave at the end of the academic year.

I would say one term’s notice @rupertthebairn . But if you had started the summer term then you would be outside your notice period (and so have to start in January).

SLT might be two terms.

yes, I saw this.

https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/dulwich/teachers-at-24000-a-year-dulwich-private-school-strike-over-low-pay-awards-and-pensions/

I'd have to give notice by March 31st for a September start.

schoolsweek.co.uk/united-learning-to-offer-45k-starting-salaries-by-offering-alternative-pension/ just seen this @Elthamjohn - looks like it's spreading to the state sector...

I hope teachers in the state sector realise that they need to fight it. Sadly, I suspect the ‘we just want to offer you flexibility’ argument will work for some.

The United Learning proposal will be partly motivated by the fact that they have 13 independent schools within their estate. The extension to the state sector is worrying but I do think many in the profession don't realise quite how bad things are for many younger teachers. I know some who work second jobs in supermarkets at the weekend, and quite a few more who have opted out of the TPS altogether.

This is madness! I thought state schools had to offer TPS, and only TPS?

It's costing the same now, but over time, it will become the norm to be 'out' and then it will be difficult to compare packages to the national salary.

Our first mistake was not objecting to leaving the national pay scale. We didn't object collectively (I objected) because the letter was phrased that it would give the school flexibility to pay more. That's worked out well; we're on a pay freeze until hell freezes over!

I think United Learning are testing the water on that one. They're still offering TPS in tandem with the private scheme. State school staff have always been free to opt out of TPS individually (although they have to opt out again each year). No doubt they took legal advice.

Reviving this old thread as Google has just sent me this:

www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/24967009.bromley-farringtons-school-teachers-strike-due-low-pay-cuts/

Any developments with your situation, @ElthamJohn?

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Well done them! Too many independent schools plead scarcity but, when you look at their finances, you see that they can still afford the TPS.

Fire / rehire is so despicable. I have no idea why parents don’t challenge schools on its use.

We are doing ok where we are, thanks @Phineyj - but planning for a future in teaching is a nerve-wracking business.

Well that sounds positive where you are - I'm glad.