Independent Schools Consulting

We have years of experience working closely with many schools across the UK, providing ongoing support and specialist advice around the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), other staff pensions and wider employee benefits.

Both schools and teachers have seen their payments into the scheme rise to their highest levels ever. However, for most teachers this doesn’t result in a more generous pension because members have been moved onto a career average basis for future accumulation, rather than final salary.

In addition, some teachers also saw contributions increase due to TPS salary band level adjustment and wage inflation. As a result, they paid more without any corresponding increase in pension benefit.

While every school is unique, those operating primarily as charities or trusts may feel greater pressure to manage the rising costs associated with the TPS.

It’s not just about pensions

Against this background, we consider every option when researching alternative pension and benefit arrangements, whether that is for some or all teachers and/or the wider workforce.

TPS offers ill-health and death-in-service benefits to members. If you are considering reviewing your future participation in the scheme, it’s important to take these elements into account. That’s why our specialist pension and health and protection teams offer comprehensive support, ensuring every angle is carefully considered.

Our expertise

We can now offer further in-depth expertise in this market after the Secondsight team and Punter Southall’s employee benefit specialists joined forces in an acquisition completed early in 2024.

By coming together, we’re adding to a long history of successfully supporting independent schools as they review their benefits.

Professional partnerships = successful consultations

We strongly believe pension and benefit advice, as well as legal advice, are equally critical in the successful delivery of change and we regularly work alongside lawyers to help deliver compliant and engaging consultation communications.

A future relationship

If your school implements changes, our work doesn’t stop there. We continue to provide support around the benefits, including building employee engagement, compliance with your legal duties and ongoing due diligence around both your choice of scheme and provider.

Client Testimonials

We've thoroughly enjoyed our introduction to Secondsight. The whole team is exemplary in their commitment to providing excellent and efficient service and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to other law firms or professional services firms seeking a refreshing approach to managing their employee benefits. We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the business over the coming years.

Caroline Stevens, Director, Crowell & Moring

The ideas and connections Secondsight have brought to Epson, and our local HR team, have been invaluable and meant we have set new financial benefits and wellbeing solutions in place that we would simply not have done before.

Stuart Chalmers, HR Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics, Epson Europe

The world of pensions can be quite grey but you always bring a huge amount of colour to it. I have never been so engaged with pensions and neither have our employees. I would highly recommend you and your team.

Alison Field, Group HR Director, Briggs Equipment

Communication and employee word of mouth have been key to its success to date. We truly believe that the financial education programme is an excellent investment - both in terms of time and money.

Rick Hewitt, Finance Director and Board member at Ricoh

A* customer service and assistance. Nothing is too much trouble.

Jane Howard, Payroll and Rewards Officer, Yazaki Europe

Over the last three years, this team has been proactive and efficient, highly knowledgeable plus friendly and easy to deal with.

David Barry, HR Manager, Manufacturing Technology Centre

Secondsight were very knowledgeable and supportive for staff throughout the process of discussions around the TPS, providing clear information and one to one support for staff that required further detail.
The team at Secondsight also helped set up an alternate solution, enabling an easy and effective transition to the new provider.  They were very much instrumental in the success of the whole process.

Director of Finance and Operations/Clerk to the Governors, Shrewsbury House School Trust Limited

Secondsight has been working with us for more than a decade.  We greatly value the consultancy support provided, in that it serves to guide us through the oft complex nature of pensions. 
Throughout our relationship, Secondsight has proven reassuring, comprehensive and professional.  This has enabled us to take prompt and effective action where required. 
We have also welcomed their support in ensuring that our member communication is clear and informative.  We commend them for service they offer.

Bursar, Lord Wandsworth College