Headteachers have voted for industrial action in response to the government’s plans for public sector pensions.

More than three-quarters (76%) of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) that took part in a ballot on 9 November voted in favour of strike action.

It is the first time in the union’s 114-year history that head teachers have decided to strike.

Speaking ahead of the ballot, Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “We need to focus on the huge impact of a move away from final salary pension schemes for school leaders at a time of heavy retirements and unfilled vacancies.

"We need to think about what is a reasonable age for someone to remain in the classroom. And we need to address the impact of higher pension contributions on people starting out in their career.

“The teachers’ pension scheme is affordable and reasonable; a decent reward for a profession which raises standards every year and which works hard for less than their skills could earn in the private sector.”

Read also Lord Hutton's report on public sector pensions

For more articles on public sector pension schemes