Has your school consulted to leave TPS?

[Phineyj]

My independent school is consulting to leave TPS. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone else who's been involved in a consultation and what the outcome was.

I am a governor in a non tps independent special school and our biggest issue attracting good staff is the lack of a pension in TPS. You and your colleagues should make it clear that this will likely be a deal breaker for many staff. No one is going to leave a TPS job in state school for an independent unless they are independently wealthy or there is some other issue at play. Recruitment is significantly impacted.

Thanks, that's useful to know and the recruitment and retention issue is definitely a serious one.

Yes, and the conclusion was we will be leaving if the TPS ask schools to increase their contribution by a certain percentage again (can't recall the number).

That conclusion had very mixed responses. I don't want to leave. But essentially as an independent school we can't afford to increase contributions too much whilst keeping school fees at a reasonable level

Yes, last school left whilst I was there and new one left before I started! It didn’t put me off the job - the school and the role was too appealing.

Thanks both of you.

Mine too. Perhaps we are in the same school. A lot of very unhappy staff. I feel for the people who have just joined from state.

From a recruitment point of view, it will definitely put me off a school if they are not in TPS. I and a couple of colleagues are actively looking to move in order to progress, but avoiding non-TPS schools deliberately.

I would definitely think twice about applying for a job without TPS. It’s a much better scheme than any alternatives and would make a big difference over time. Many private schools are having to leave the scheme though as the employer contributions are so big. Currently, state schools get a grant to cover the latest rise in contributions.

My school have just started the consultation too. I have heard some positive stories, I am living in hope!

I joined an independent school from state last September and found out on my first inset day they were withdrawing from TPS! I had asked on my interview day in January but apparently 'things changed'... There are many benefits to working in independent and I'm only 28 - this means I'm maybe a bit naive about it all.
We had a consultation but it didn't change anything. Not much union engagement I school. It felt like a foregone conclusion from Day 1. Many staff threatened to leave - none actually have.