“Devastating increase” in employers Teachers’ pension contributions

[MarmiteTermite]

I read this article and am concerned about how schools will absorb this 43% increase in costs:
www.tes.com/news/exclusive-schools-hit-devastating-rise-pension-costs

This was always going to be a largish increase because the state of the pension fund for teachers is only assessed every 4 years and then a % contribution agreed for the next 4 years.
However I agree it is going to be a very difficult time for most schools, which in my school equates to about 2.5% increase in total expenditure, unless the government comes up with extra funding to cover it. The articles says that they will be covering the cost but based on recent increases that have never actually fully covered the costs I will not be holding my breathe about this. As usual the school governing boards will have to work out with the SLT of schools how to make things stretch a bit further!

They’ll reduce the pension contribution costs by cutting teachers...

I think the effect may be felt even more in the independent sector as they will not get any help from the government. Fees might have to rise significantly and/or big cuts to teaching staff. Some independent schools will probably have to close.

I don’t know why this hasn’t been more newsworthy

Independent schools will put the fees up
State schools will be screwed

That’s a huge increase, I imagine any additional funding will be for the first year only. Headteachers marching on Downing Street on Friday about funding cuts.

And please don't be fooled by the statements about schools having more £ than ever before. There are more pupils than before at the moment, and costs are rising. I have never known education so tight for funds. It's your kids who are suffering - bigger groups, worse equipment, more frazzled and often less experienced (so cheaper) teachers. It is dire.

Fees might have to rise significantly and/or big cuts to teaching staff

I doubt it. Pension costs are typically a small part of a school's budget, so this will only increase total spending by perhaps 3-4%. Personally I would not regard a 4% rise in fees to cover this as significant.

Looking at the financial statements of my children’s state school pensions are around 10% of total costs. The school will have to find around an extra £400k to fund this increase, not an insignificant amount when total income is only £8m.