Aurora Schools teachers in Norfolk stage pensions walk-out

Teachers and other workers from Aurora Eccles and Aurora White Farm schools in Quidenham - including one dressed as a zebra - staged demonstrations outside the site on Tuesday.

It was the first of three days of industrial action over proposals to change pension arrangements at the school.

The Aurora Group, which runs the schools, has created a new pension scheme in response to the government's 5pc increase in the Teacher's Pension Scheme.

The trust has insisted teachers can remain in the national scheme if they do not wish to join the new one.

However, union bosses say teachers have been left fearing the proposals are a precursor to the trust leaving the scheme altogether.

Bob Groome of the National Education Union said: "Our members have been placed in an unacceptable position where detrimental changes to their pension provision are being tabled, with the threat of fire and rehire.

"Teachers would rather be teaching and are deeply concerned that there will be an impact on students due to the actions of the employer in resisting a sensible dialogue to resolve our concerns."

A spokeswoman from The Aurora Group said: "Our priority is to ensure that students experience as little disruption as possible, because of the decision taken by a number of teachers to strike over proposed changes to the TPS.

"We are in consultation with affected teachers and no decisions will be made - our teachers continue to receive full contributions from the school.

"We understand that TPS is important to teachers, which is why it is not being withdrawn and teachers will still have access to the scheme.

"The increases announced by the government every four years are creating significant pressures across the sector."