Teachers at two prestigious schools have taken strike action after fire and rehire tactics - soon to become illegal - were used over staff pensions.
Striking teachers from Haberdashers Boys and Girls Schools in Aldenham Road, between Radlett and Elstree, have picketed outside over four mornings in the last week.
It comes after “large numbers” of teachers at the independent schools received letters of dismissal and reengagement on amended contracts, according to NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union.
New contracts capped Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contributions at current levels (28.26 per cent), where this can otherwise rise based on government reviews.
National Education Union (NEU) Hertfordshire district secretary Shaun Murtagh-Howard said: “The employer has chosen to threaten the livelihoods of the very people who make this school worth attending. Teachers at Haberdashers' are highly dedicated to their students.
“In return, the Governors are attempting to pick their pockets. It is a betrayal — and it is shameful.”
NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said: “The employer is seeking to offload its financial responsibilities and make teachers foot the bill in the future.
“To make matters worse, it is using bullying fire and rehire tactics to try to force through these changes.
“These plans are completely indefensible and demonstrate a lack of respect for hard-working teachers.”
The Employment Rights Act 2025 makes fire and rehire automatically unfair dismissal in most cases, but the change does not come in until January 1, 2027.
Teachers are understood to have already signed on to new contracts, but this was done “under protest” according to NEU joint branch secretary for Hertfordshire Lizzie Newman.
She highlighted that “lifelong teachers at the school” who are “committed to their pupils” would have been left jobless if they refused. Because new staff contracts had already been made with the cap, it is apparently the longest serving teachers who have been hit.
Between 60 and 100 teachers, staff, and parents have attended the picket each day.
Pupils’ education has continued, with lessons understood to be taking place in large groups and with senior leadership doing some of the teaching.
Councillor Dan Ozarow, who attended the protest yesterday (May 19), said: “It is not fair to fail to honour the original contracts agreed with the hard-working professionals to whom parents have entrusted the education of their children.
“I would urge the school management to get back round the negotiating table with the unions.”
Tomorrow was set to be the last of the initial strike days, but action that morning has been called off due to ACAS-facilitated talks being arranged.
Further dates in June have apparently been tabled, should no resolution be reached.
A spokesperson for the schools said the “very substantial increases” in pension scheme contribution costs it has faced are “equivalent to an additional £2.57 million” each year compared with 2015.
“Those rising costs are not sustainable indefinitely and schools have a responsibility to ensure long-term financial stability for current and future pupils and staff alike,” they said.
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A “long and careful consultation process” for the changes was also highlighted, alongside an “increasingly challenging” economic environment for independent schools.
Principal Gus Lock added: "We are disappointed strike action has gone ahead, particularly as dialogue with staff and union representatives has continued throughout.
“We remain committed to working towards a resolution and supporting all members of our school community during this period."
