Teachers at Britain’s oldest school will go on strike for the first time in its 1,425-year history as staff announce they will walk out amid pay dispute

• King’s School Canterbury was founded in 597AD and re-founded by Henry VIII
• Former pupils include Christopher Marlowe and author Michael Morpurgo 

Teachers at Britain’s oldest school are set to go on strike for the first time in its history.

Bosses at King’s School in Canterbury which was founded in 597AD say they are ‘disappointed’ staff are set to walk out next week in a row over pensions.

Members of the National Education Union, which represents teachers, have announced their intention to strike after staff were consulted by the school.

A spokesperson for The King’s School said: ‘Like many other independent schools, we have been consulting with teachers on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

‘Whilst many teachers have welcomed our proposals, we are disappointed that a group of teachers has declared an intention to strike on a number of days in June.

Bosses at King’s School in Canterbury (pictured) which was founded in 597AD say they are ‘disappointed’ staff are set to walk out next week in a row over pensions

Playwright Christopher Marlowe, War Horse author Michael Morpurgo (pictured) and physician William Harvey are among its most notable former pupils

‘We continue to work hard to seek a solution and to avoid such action being taken.

‘However, we have contingency plans in place so that the exams, lessons and welfare of our pupils are not affected on those days.’

It could not be confirmed how many staff are expected to walk out, but it is understood many teachers have assured King’s they will be working as usual and only a small number are striking.

Hundreds of staff across Kent and Medway went on strike earlier this year in an ongoing row with the government over pay.

The National Education Union ‘regretfully’ pulled its members out of classrooms, leaving some schools forced to close or cancel classes.

According to King’s School, its ‘origins find their roots in the monastic school founded by St Augustine, subsequent to his mission of 597AD’.

It was later re-founded by Henry VIII in 1541.

Playwright Christopher Marlowe, War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and physician William Harvey are among its most notable former pupils.

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