Teachers at two private schools in Coventry are taking strike action in a dispute over pay, the BBC has reported.

Staff at the Coventry School Foundation, which manages Bablake and King Henry VIII schools  complain that their latest offer means a real-term pay cut after they previously accepted a below-inflation deal.

The NASUWT pointed out that teachers had received a 2.75% rise this year and a 5% offer for 2023/24 represented another pay cut when compared to the rate of inflation.

NASUWT’s general secretary Dr Patrick Roach, of the said teachers in the state sector had received a 5% pay award and the Foundation had increased school fees by 11%, adding: “At a time when the cost of living crisis shows no signs of abating, it is unacceptable that hard working teachers are being expected to accept such significant real terms cuts in their pay.

“There is no evidence that a fair and decent pay award is unaffordable for the Foundation.T he employer needs to recognise that its staff are its most important asset and start investing in them.”

The union members will go on strike tomorrow and Thursday with further action planned later in June.