PRIVATE schools across England are being hit by strike action as teachers defend their pensions.

Employers at more than 400 private schools have withdrawn from, or are phasing out, the nationwide Teachers’ Pension Scheme, after the employers’ contribution was increased in 2019 from 23.6 per cent to 28.6 per cent.

Teachers’ unions the NEU and NASUWT are responding with strike action.

Staff at two £13,000-a-year Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle are holding three days of strike action, due to end on Thursday.

Teachers at Aurora Eccles and Aurora Whitehouse schools in Norfolk walked out on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and will strike again from April 16-17 and 23-25.

Other schools affected by the dispute include St Mary’s at Ascot, Abbey Gate in Chester, Queen Mary’s at Topcliffe in North Yorkshire and the King’s Group in Cambridge.

The NEU said: “Employers are claiming that the increase is unaffordable. For some this will be true but for others it is a choice.”