SCHOOL strikes have been called off after a pensions deal was struck at the 11th hour.

Teachers at Shoreham College had planned to down tools tomorrow over its proposal to leave the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The school announced its plans after it was required to up its contributions to staff pensions last September.

But now it will remain with the scheme, prompting the National Education Union to call off the strikes.

Union officer James Ellis said the move proved Shoreham College could afford to pay increased contributions.

“This is a significant victory for our members,” Mr Ellis said.

“They stuck together and rejected all alternative proposals put forward knowing they would have all seen them worse off in retirement.

“At schools where these proposals remain, parents should be very concerned that the best teachers will not stick around to be given a sub-standard pension.”