Teachers' strike to hit thousands

Around 6,000 schools will be closed or partially shut when teachers take strike action on Thursday.

The walkout by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will affect at least a third of schools in England and Wales.

It is in protest at a three-year pay deal, including 2.45 per cent from September and rises of 2.3 per cent in subsequent years.

Local authority leaders predict marked regional variation in the number of closures, with around 10 per cent of schools to shut in regions such as Cheshire but virtually all schools in some parts, including Newham in East London.

Ivan Ould, chairman of the National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers, which represents children's services authorities and local education authorities in England and Wales, said: "It is disappointing for children and parents that the NUT has pressed ahead with strike action.

"Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time and parents will lose out as they are forced to take unnecessary holiday to look after them."

He added: "The NUT should pause for thought before embarking on action that will affect large swathes of the country. The pay award was based on an independent body's recommendation and provides a deal that is both fair to teachers and affordable for the taxpayer.

"Councils and schools are working together to ensure that if the strike does happen then the minimum possible disruption will occur to children and parents."

The chairman of the teachers' pay review body, Bill Cockburn, has described the strike as "very regrettable" and said teaching unions have been promised a review of the pay arrangements in 2009.

NUT acting general secretary Christine Blower said the strike was a "last resort".

"The thing is that teachers have had below-inflation pay increases for the last three years and those are set to continue and the problem is not just teachers' pay, it is also the fact that it is not attracting enough people to come in and want to be teachers," she said.

"We already lose half of the people who start teaching in the first three to five years and teaching is under-recruiting for September.

"So we are saying, yes, it is about teachers' pay, but it is also about making sure there are enough people to replace our colleagues in those classrooms when they retire."

Nicky Blair, the son of former prime minister Tony Blair, will reportedly join the walkout and could take part in one of many rallies being held by striking teachers.

The 21-year-old is working at a comprehensive school in the West Midlands under the Teach First scheme.

About 100,000 civil servants and thousands of council workers will also go on strike in separate disputes over pay.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.