Teachers at a Nottingham school will continue to strike in a dispute with the Trust that runs its services over pay, despite an updated offer being tabled.
National Education Union (NEU) members at Nottingham Girls' High School will strike again from 7.30am on Wednesday (February 23) and Thursday (February 24).
The first strike action in the school's 149 year history took place on February 10, which had a 'nearly 100 per cent turnout'.
The high school is run by Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), which runs a total of 23 independent schools across the country.
Teacher members from all 23 schools will travel to Westminster on Wednesday to lobby their MP in Parliament Square from 1.30pm.
95 percent of all NEU teachers within GDST voted in favour of strike action because of the employer's plan to withdraw from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
Despite an offer from GDST to delay withdrawing from the TPS until September 30 2023, and GDST staff in independent schools being given a pay rise, teacher members want the scheme to carry on indefinitely, and will continue to strike.
GDST trustees have said staying in the scheme is 'unsustainable' financially.
Una O’Brien, East Midlands regional secretary of NEU, said: "The NEU and its teacher members at GDST's independent schools are gravely disappointed and greatly angered by the decision of trustees to pursue a plan to remove them from the TPS.
"It is unjustified, it is unwarranted, and it will not stand.
"A move away from the TPS will be a disaster for recruitment and for learning.
"If the employer is truly listening then it is in their gift to bring this dispute to an end quickly, by thinking again.
"Short term financial sweeteners offer no compensation for the long-term security of the TPS.
"To avert further strikes the plan must be abandoned completely and unconditionally."
GDST trustees have finished a consultation into the changes, and tabled an offer they thought was strong.
The Trust wants to leave the TPS because of an increase in employer contributions into it.
But GDST says the alternative scheme to it would see a 20 per cent employer contribution and a pay rise.
A statement from GDST said: "We know teachers will want time to consider the new proposal and we are ready to talk these through in detail.
"GDST remains committed to reaching a settlement and we have invited the NEU to meet with us.
"We are disappointed that they have refused to call off this week’s proposed industrial action while these discussions take place.
"With the Trustees’ decision announced on Tuesday (February 22), the pursuit of strike action with a new proposal on the table will cause unnecessary disruption for students and teachers.
"We care deeply about our teachers and would not have put forward these proposals unless we felt they were absolutely necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the GDST family of schools, enabling us to continue to provide an excellent and affordable independent education for our students, and at the same time offering teachers a comfortable retirement.
"This pay rise and commitment to pay progression for our teachers is for the long-term, not a 'short term financial sweetener' as the NEU has suggested.
"Trustees have concluded that the additional annual financial burden of £6m created by increased TPS costs is unsustainable and therefore the GDST cannot remain within the scheme indefinitely.
"Continued membership of the TPS would prevent the GDST from having control over its finances and developing the total reward it can provide to its staff, including pay rises.
"Trustees have acted to ensure that, in line with the GDST charitable mission, jobs and schools are protected.
"This is a challenge reflected across the independent schools’ sector, as nearly two-thirds of independent schools are not in the TPS and to-date over 300 have left or have given notice to leave since 2019."
Further strike action is currently planned on March 1-3.
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