Statement by Cheryl Giovannoni, CEO of GDST, in
response to NEU vote in favour of industrial action following
proposed changes to pensions
The ballot result shows the strength of feeling we know
exists amongst our teachers who are NEU members in respect
of the proposed changes to teachers’ pensions. We are of course
disappointed with the result, but our priority is to continue
working closely with our schools to ensure our students are able
to continue learning effectively during this time.
Our collective consultation period with the NEU ends on Friday
28th January. The GDST Trustees will then consider all the
feedback received from teachers before making a final decision in
the last week of February. We urge the NEU not to call for strike
action before any decisions are made, or any further proposals
are put forward.
The decision to begin collective consultation was reluctantly
reached by the GDST Trustees following a 43% increase in employer
contributions to the Teachers’Pension Scheme (TPS) imposed by the
government in 2019. Since this time, the GDST has been grappling
with an increase in employer contributions from 16.48% to 23.68%
of teachers’ salaries (an extra cost of £6m each year). The
government has covered this rise in the maintained sector,
including our two academies, but independent schools must deal
with this additional burden on their own. As a result, over 280
independent schools have already left the TPS. Many more are
planning to leave or are in consultation with their teachers
about changes.
Teachers are central to the success of the GDST and we value
their incredible contribution and dedication to the education of
girls in our family of schools. We have put forward these
proposals in response to the challenges we face to control costs
and are committed to providing our teachers with a strong
alternative pension scheme, with a 20% employer contribution into
a flexible, defined contribution pension plan alongside other
benefits.
We would not have put forward these proposals unless we felt they
were necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the
GDST family of schools, enabling us to continue to provide an
excellent and affordable education for girls in our schools and
at the same time ensuring our teachers have a comfortable
retirement.
