Teachers at a Wokingham school took the picket line on Thursday morning to air their frustrations about proposed changes.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Maiden Erlegh School have started strike action in response to proposed changes to the Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) structure that they claim would result in significant pay cuts and unsustainable increases to their workload.
The school is closed today as a result of the strike action.
The strike follows months of growing frustration among staff after the Maiden Erlegh Trust launched a consultation process to restructure TLRs across the school.
Under the proposed changes, many teachers stand to lose key responsibilities and corresponding pay, while being expected to take on additional duties.
The Trust claims the restructure is based on a model developed by an external consultancy, but staff say the figures and rationale provided have been inconsistent and confusing throughout the process.
Teachers and NEU representatives said they have repeatedly requested clarity, submitted feedback, and engaged in the consultation in good faith. However, many now feel their concerns have been ignored.
Tom Stewart, history teacher and NEU school rep, said: “This proposal undervalues the expertise and dedication of teachers who have gone above and beyond, especially during recent challenging years and excellent feedback from Ofsted,”
Tracey Noden-Hooper, science teacher and NEU school rep, added: ““Instead of recognising their efforts, the Trust is proposing cuts that would leave some teachers thousands of pounds worse off while increasing their workload,”
“This strike is a last resort,” said Rachel Teale, a geography teacher and NEU school rep.
“Our members do not want to disrupt students’ education, but they will not stand by while their pay and working conditions are worsened under a model that involves removing TLR roles while leaving the responsibilities largely in place — meaning those tasks will simply be pushed onto other colleagues, increasing pressure across the board.”
The NEU is calling on the Trust to cancel the restructure and enter meaningful negotiations with union representatives.
Teachers said further strike dates is being considered if the Trust does not address the concerns raised.
A spokesperson for Maiden Erlegh Trust told Wokingham Today: “Like many schools and trusts across the country, Maiden Erlegh Trust is having to make difficult decisions in response to significant and ongoing funding pressures.
“Reducing costs is essential to protect the long-term viability of our schools, and to ensure we can continue to provide a high-quality education.”
“Following an independent review by a school resource management adviser (SRMA), we are implementing a range of cost-saving measures across our organisation to ensure our schools remain financially sustainable against the backdrop of funding decline.
“One of the independent review findings was that our existing TLR payment structure has become out of step with other schools and trusts nationally, and that adjustments are needed to bring us back in line.
“Teaching and learning responsibilities (TLRs) are additional payments made to teaching staff who take on additional teaching responsibilities, like subject leadership or head of year, and it is these that are higher than national benchmarks in our trust.
“Our trustees asked us to bring forward proposals to ensure these payments remain affordable and sustainable in the long term, and that they are in line with other schools.
“Alongside implementing a series of cost saving measures, we have been working on proposals to restructure TLR payments since March 2025.
“Our process has included consultation with union representatives and colleagues from across our organisation. After receiving staff consultation feedback, we revised our TLR proposals.
“At Maiden Erlegh School, there have been further discussions on the TLR consultation with National Education Union (NEU) representatives.
“While discussions are ongoing, strike action has been called by the NEU.
What has happened to date?
“In March 2025 our senior leaders developed TLR proposals using national benchmarks as guidance.
“We began our staff consultation which included meetings with affected staff and written feedback.
“We extended the consultation period following staff feedback.
“We made several changes to our proposed TLR restructure model following staff feedback.
“We entered into dialogue with local and regional NEU representatives at Maiden Erlegh School — these discussions are on-going.
“NEU held a ballot on strike action at Maiden Erlegh School, the outcome was strike action.
“We are continuing to review how to support affected roles.
“Union dialogue is continuing, and we have shared additional information with union representatives at their request.
The spokesperson added that as a high number of staff at Maiden Erlegh School are NEU members, the school cannot operate safely on strike days.
“We apologise for the disruption to our students and their families.
“Due to laws governing strike conditions we cannot send work home.
“We are doing all we can in the background to achieve a sustainable outcome for all.
“We have also made arrangements for students in receipt of free school meals to collect meals from the school.
“We recognise how difficult this situation is for our community.
“Our priority remains to support our staff and students, and protect the quality of education we deliver to all we serve by making careful decisions to protect our future.
“We will continue to engage constructively, and share further updates when appropriate.”
