TEACHERS at one of the oldest and most expensive boarding schools in the country have voted in favour of industrial action in a row about an 'inferior package' for new staff. 

Following a strike action ballot by the National Education Union, teachers at Winchester College were awarded a 6.4 per cent pay rise. However, this rise comes following months of negotiations between union members and the college.

Despite this, the union remains in dispute over proposed changes to the Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS). According to the union, Winchester College is currently proposing to close the Teacher’s Pension Scheme to new joiners from September 2023.

Under a proposed “phased withdrawal” plan, existing staff would maintain their present rights, but teachers recruited to the school in future would be put into a defined-contribution scheme which has no guaranteed level of benefit.

The union argues that the alternative pension scheme for teaching staff is inferior to current arrangements.

They also argue that phasing out the current scheme for new joiners will leave their existing teacher members in the college at risk of the employer imposing a full withdrawal from the scheme in the future.

A ballot of NEU members regarding pay and changes to the TPS closed on Tuesday, February 2, with 82 per cent voting for strike action, on a turnout of 77 per cent.

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Senior regional officer of South East NEU, Nick Childs, said: “It is a shame that it was necessary to ballot for strike action at Winchester College to agree what our members believe to be a fair and reasonable pay rise in the context of the current rates of inflation, but we are very pleased that we have managed to do this without needing to resort to taking strike action.

“However, our members still feel very strongly about the unresolved threat to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

"Winchester College seem to believe that they can offer an inferior package to new colleagues and that our members would stand idly by as long as their own terms are protected.

“Our members are resolute that this is not who they are and will not stand for their employer seeking to introduce inequity of terms into their workplace. They are seeking a resolution to avoid any disruption to pupils’ education, and this is easily within the gift of the employer.”

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Winchester College is a world-famous, independent boarding school for pupils aged 13-18, with a co-ed Sixth Form offering day places. 

According to the latest report by Britannia StudyLink, a school selection platform, the school had 704 pupils in 2022 and average fees were £45,936 per year. It ranked the college as the ninth most expensive boarding school in the UK. 

A spokesperson for Winchester College said: “We are deeply disappointed by the announcement that teaching staff who are NEU members at Winchester College have voted in favour of taking industrial action.

"This is despite the school’s best efforts to find a solution, and in spite of its strong belief that no grounds for a dispute exist.”

They said that the college, which was founded in 1382 and has the longest continuous history of any English school, was working hard to continue its long tradition of delivering world-class education. 

They moved to reassure parents and pupils that the strike would not affect teaching standards. 

The spokesperson continued: “Winchester college is committed to giving its pupils a world-class education in a supportive and enriching environment.

"While we regard this strike action as inappropriate, we wish to reassure pupils and parents alike that strong contingencies are already in place should a strike go ahead.

"Our intention is that the school will operate as normally as possible, that boarding houses will remain open, and that the timetable will be revised to ensure continued teaching for all pupils, with particular emphasis on those in their public exam years.

“We will remain in close contact with pupils and their parents regarding the planning being put in place, and will ensure we continue to put their interests first as we prepare for any strike action.

"Members of our school community can also be reassured that we are committed to continued engagement and to bringing our teaching community back together when the strike is over.”