Morehouse is a beloved school by its pupils, family and community, and the teachers are its most valuable asset. These skilled educators are being denied the pension fund they were promised when they signed their contracts with the school. Therefore, I urge you to join me in demanding an immediate resolution that allows these teachers to return to work and for their pension to be upheld.

To be clear, the teachers are not asking for a pay rise or an increase to their contractual pension employer contributions. They would like to retain their current contractual pension arrangements: to remain in the Teacher Pension Scheme or to have the option to move to an alternative pension provider, maintaining the existing employer contribution rate of 23.68% from September 2019.

Morehouse teachers are paid less than State counterparts. At More House, the average salary for an experienced member of staff is between £30k-£38k. In state education, an experienced teacher can expect to earn between £42k to £45k. Many teachers have accepted lower salaries because they believe in the great work that is done at More House. However, the fact is that teachers see the importance of the Teacher Pension Scheme as being part of the whole remuneration package.

In reality, there is no pay scale at More House. Salaries are set at the point of employment or promotion but there is no clear pathway to progression.

The teachers at More House are currently members of the Teacher Pension Scheme, as are all state school teachers and the vast majority of independent school teachers. The school has been paying a 23.68% employer contribution since 2019. The governors hate now going ahead with a reduction in the employer contributions to 18.5% which is below what they have been paying since 2019. This means that each teacher will have to make up the difference - in effect this amounts to a 5.18% pay cut. The Governors and the Headmaster have been very careful not to label it a pay cut, but that is exactly what it is. The Governors have explained to us that a teacher earning £25k will earn £942 less each year. A middle leader, with all the extra responsibility that it entails, earning £45k will earn £1,695 less each year. There are ongoing strikes at More House, deeply affecting its student base. Some teachers have already left the school as a result.

The Governors has now started a process often referred to as 'fire and re-hire'. To reflect the lowered pension contribution. 

It is sad to say that many staff are now leaving, or will leave. More strikes have been planned for the autumn term. At a time of crisis, nationally, in teacher recruitment and retention, it will not be easy to replace such experienced staff.

More House is a remarkable school. We all care as much about the longevity of the school. The striking teachers are simply trying to preserve their current contract arrangements so that they can continue to educate and support your sons.

Therefore, I kindly request all stakeholders involved in this matter – including school administrators, board members, government officials – come together urgently for meaningful negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement on the teachers' pension fund.

Together with your support through signing this petition and raising awareness within our community about this pressing issue at Morehouse School, we can make a difference! Let us stand united in advocating for fair compensation for our dedicated educators so they may return to work with peace of mind and continue shaping the bright futures of our children.

Thank you for taking the time to sign, and share this petition.