Staff accused the school of misleading them over pensions, with one calling it “a kick in the guts.”
Others said they are being priced out of the area, forced to commute long distances while their wages fall behind state school counterparts.
Staff gathered on the picket line, voicing frustration with the private school, which charges parents up to £50,000 per year for their children to attend.
One teacher said: “In over 25 years of teaching, I have never taken strike action.
“It’s a last resort because I’m passionate about education and the children in my care.
“But this affects my life hugely – a cut to pay and pensions is not sustainable for me in the long term. I feel I’ve got no choice.”
Another teacher claimed they were misled about the school’s pension plans.
They said: “Some of us asked before accepting the job if the school was in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and if it planned on staying in TPS.
“We were told the school was going to leave and had been planning this for ages. It was such a kick in the guts. It really was.
“It’s a bit of a red line for me, and I feel I made the decision to work at the school based on that false information.”
A third teacher highlighted the financial pressures facing staff, saying: “It’s very expensive area. I grew up in Bromley, I’m a teacher my wife is a teacher and we can’t afford the stay in the area.
“We’ve already been priced out and have to commute in from Kent. How are young teachers meant to stay in the school and work in the area if we don’t have a decent salary.
“Many of us are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay mortgages or rent. We do a really honourable job and we’re not able to make ends meet.
“20 years ago we’d have a good quality of life and now we feel like we’re struggling to just get by.”
The strike follows accusations by the National Education Union (NEU) and NASUWT that the school is using “fire and rehire” tactics, forcing teachers to either accept removal from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or take a 3.48 per cent salary cut.
The unions argue these changes will make it harder to recruit and retain staff.
According to the NEU, a newly qualified teacher at Farringtons earns £33,757—almost £3,000 less than a state school teacher in the same area.
The highest-paid teachers at the school receive £50,534, compared to £53,994 for their state school equivalents in outer London.
The picket line today was also joined by NASUWT Junior Vice President Mark Dickinson, who said: “Members face this threat to their pensions when they are already paid less than the state sector. We support them in their opposition to these measures and the shameful threat of Fire and Rehire.”
One NASUWT member added: “We think the proposals are unfair. Staff shouldn’t have a detriment to stay in TPS as that is what we signed up for, especially when our pay is lagging behind the state sector.”
Teachers are also striking for trade union recognition, saying the school has refused to engage in meaningful discussions.
According to NASUWT, the school has not agreed to negotiations with the unions. NASUWT has stated it is willing to meet with Farringtons School, the NEU, and ACAS to help resolve the dispute.
Further strikes are planned for March 5, 11, 12, and 13 if no solution is found.
Farringtons School argues that rising pension costs have made the Teachers’ Pension Scheme increasingly difficult to sustain amid wider financial pressures on independent schools.
A school spokesperson told the News Shopper: “There have been significant increases to the cost of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme over the last few years.
“We value our staff hugely and wish to reward them as well as we can.
“However, the growing cost of the TPS is simply not sustainable, particularly in the context of other challenges facing the independent school sector.
“We are continuing to work hard to bring the matter to a swift and positive conclusion.”
