Statement on GDST pensions

In September 2021, GDST began collective consultation with our teachers and our recognised trade union, the National Education Union (NEU), on behalf of our teachers across our 23 independent schools on proposed changes to teachers’ pensions. Teachers are central to the success of GDST schools, and we really value their incredible contribution and dedication to the education of girls in our family of schools. 

Members of the NEU within our teaching staff have now voted in favour of strike action across all our schools. We are of course disappointed with this decision, but we recognise the strength of feeling that exists amongst our teachers who are NEU members in respect of the proposed changes.  

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 and we urge the NEU not to call for strike action before any decisions are made, or any further proposals are put forward. In the meantime, our priority is to continue working closely with our schools to ensure our students are able to continue learning effectively.   

The decision to begin the collective consultation on pensions 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. 

As a charity, the GDST invests all of its funds into our educational offer, and teachers play a vital role in fulfilling our mission of helping girls learn without limits. We 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. 

Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive of the GDST said: “We know what a difficult time this has been for our teachers. The result on 26th January in favour of strike action underlines the strength of feeling. Our collective consultation period with the NEU ends on 28th January 2022. The GDST Trustees will now consider all the feedback we have received before making a final decision on any proposals. Our priority is to continue to work closely with schools to ensure our students are able to continue learning effectively during this time.”