 GCSE student Lewis believes teachers do not get paid enough for their work |
At Greensward College secondary school in Hockley, Essex, teachers have tried to maintain business as usual. But with 17 of the school's 100 teachers joining the strike, only two-thirds of pupils were able to attend classes today, while the remaining third were told to stay at home. Head teacher Debbie Stokes was at work as usual, as she is not a member of the NUT, but she says she is firmly behind those teachers who are on strike. With more than 21 years since the last national strike by teachers, she is not worried that the action will damage her profession's reputation at this stage. Unfair disadvantage Ms Stokes said: "With the current climate, with the cost of living going up so quickly and our rate of pay only going up half the percentage of the cost of living at the moment, I think it's fair." Among the school's GCSE students, opinion about the strike was divided but many supported their striking teachers' actions. One boy said: "I think the teachers have as much right as anyone else to strike but I do think it was quite irresponsible of the union to arrange it so close to our GCSEs. "I know it was designed to cause as much disruption as possible but I just think that it's disadvantaging us." Another pupil said: "I totally agree with it actually. I think teachers don't get paid enough for what they do. Many of the teachers in this school are the best I've ever seen and the average of �34,000 is totally wrong." Jonathan White, also a year 10 GCSE student, said he would have preferred to see more negotiation on the part of the NUT before the strike decision was made.  Teacher Debbie says the rate of inflation requires a higher pay rise |
He said: "I don't think this is the appropriate time for them to go on strike because our GCSEs are so near and other people's A levels are so near. "But then again this is from the union that tried to ban the Army from coming into schools so it just shows how out of touch they really are." However, he blamed the government rather than teachers for the problem, saying "They've just wasted so much money. They could have really put that money into giving teachers a pay rise." A fourth boy said "I believe striking today was the wrong decision and that, at this critical time in our education, during our exam period, it's completely wrong. "But I do feel that Greensward College today has tried its best to keep staff present in school and as many students as they can." The BBC's Anna Adams, reporting from the school, said there was a sense among parents and pupils that they could put up with a strike for one day - but that it would be a different story if the action were to continue.
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At this critical time in our education, during our exam period, it's completely wrong
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