TEACHERS at a private school in Stroud are going on strike this week over changes to their pensions.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) staff at Wycliffe College who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) are set to take strike action.

The teachers are angry that Wycliffe, an independent boarding school in Stonehouse, intends to withdraw its membership of the teacher pension scheme. The school's withdrawal follows an increase in contributions which employers have to pay into the pension scheme.

The NEU has said the pension changes will leave teachers working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.

Staff said they have been told that if they do not give in they will be dismissed and re-hired on inferior terms.

Nicky Bryant, the NEU representative at Wycliffe, said: “We have suggested achievable savings that would more than fund the deficit.

"Our members are professionals who take pride in the education they deliver to a very high standard.

"They will not accept a lower pension that they may have to endure for 20 or 30 years following a lifetime of service.”

NEU Regional Officer Peter Marsh-Jenks, said: “Threatening to sack teachers just for wanting to keep the same pension as hundreds of thousands of other teachers is unacceptable.

"There are several viable solutions, and the college should come back to the negotiating table.

"This fire and re-hire mentality has no place in a civilized workplace.”.

Strikes as currently planned for:

Tuesday March 2nd

Tuesday March 9th

Wednesday March 10th

Tuesday March 16th

Wednesday March 17th

Thursday March 18th