EIS members have commenced strike action at Craigclowan School, an independent school in Perthshire, as they fight to protect their pensions.

Craigclowan School has used ‘fire and rehire’ letters to force its teachers to give up their occupational teachers’ pension scheme (the STPS) and instead join a cheaper private pension scheme.

Teachers at Craigclowan School have been fighting to protect their pensions for over six months and obtained a strike mandate from an independently run ballot in October. All EIS attempts to open talks to resolve the dispute have been rebuffed by the school, which does not recognise any trade union.

Teachers in Craigclowan School are fully GTCS registered but are paid around 15% less than primary school teachers in the state sector. From January 2026 onwards, the school plans to reduce its pension contributions by putting teachers into a private pension scheme, which will be worse than their current STPS pension.

Craigclowan School pupil fees have not increased in line with the introduction of VAT or general inflation. The school seems to be planning to use cuts to teachers’ pensions and real-term pay to subsidise pupils’ fees – a practice the EIS finds unacceptable.

Commenting on the strike action, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Strike action is a last resort for teachers, but it is necessary at Craigclowan School because its teachers need to protect their pensions. “Their long-term financial security is at serious risk, especially as they are already paid less than teachers in the state sector.”

Ms Bradley continued, “Craigclowan School has put an unacceptable amount of pressure on its teachers to force through an inferior pension, including the despicable act of using ‘fire & rehire’ – a practice that will largely be outlawed when the UK Employment Rights Bill is approved.

“It is wrong for Craigclowan School to expect teachers to effectively subsidise pupil fees by sacrificing the quality of teacher pensions or pay. The EIS will continue to support members placed in such a difficult position.”

“The EIS calls on Craigclowan School to enter into talks to resolve this dispute and to prioritise its resources on its teaching staff, the school’s greatest asset.”