Redbridge teachers hit the picket lines in Wanstead this morning as schools across the borough were disrupted by industrial action.

Ilford Recorder: Teacher from Wanstead High School and parents and children from Snaresbrook Primary School gathered in Wanstead to strike against pay and working conditions.Teacher from Wanstead High School and parents and children from Snaresbrook Primary School gathered in Wanstead to strike against pay and working conditions. (Image: Archant)

In total 68 primary, secondary and special educational needs schools are closed or partially shut due to the walkout organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters’ Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).

Ilford Recorder: Beth Glanvill, the youngest member of the NUT in the area gave a speech.Beth Glanvill, the youngest member of the NUT in the area gave a speech. (Image: Archant)

Redbridge NUT president Bob Archer is happy with the turnout this morning, and more than 100 people have joined the big march in London protesting against what they feel are unfair policies directed towards them by education secretary Michael Gove.

He said: “It shows the strength of feeling there is about the strike.

“As well as teachers there are a lot of young people and parents and I think that shows the solidarity there is.”

The strike is over government plans which will see teachers unable to claim their pensions until they are 68, performance-related pay and workloads.

Redbridge NUT secretary Kash Mallick said: “Michael Gove doesn’t care about teachers’ working conditions and this is the only course of action.

“The changes he is looking to make will affect the profession more than anything in the past 30 or 40 years.

“The government is just trying to save money but you’ll get to the stage where people won’t see teaching as a career possibility – and it’s the children who will suffer.”

Have you been affected by the strike? Do you support the teachers? Contact the newsroom at newsdesk@ilfordrecorder.co.uk.