Schoolchildren across the borough faced disruption to their lessons today, after strike action by teachers.

All six of the state secondary schools across the borough were affected by the action.

It was organised by NASUWT and NUT members in protest at government changes to their pay, pensions and working conditions.

Homewood, Towers and the Norton Knatchbull closed completely, with some supervision provided for pupils in years 7 to 9 at the latter, in the event that parents were unable to organise home supervision.

The North School was only open to the Sixth Form students in years 12 and 13, while the John Wallis Academy opened for pupils in years 11 and 13, as well as for all primary pupils.
Highworth remained open, but some lessons were disrupted.

A number of primary schools were also affected, including Godinton, where the school was only open to Blackberries, Year 4 and Challenger class.

John Walder of the Kent branch of the NUT (pictured above) acknowledged the action may have inconvenienced many families, but said the government had refused to negotiate.

“I sympathise and accept it is inconvenient,” he said, “but teachers will be also be inconvenienced and will also have the same problems.

“But it is a price that we are having to pay - there is a serious issue here.”