Nearly half of London schools will be shut and many more affected by teachers strikes tomorrow

Nearly half the schools in Enfield, Haringey, Islington  and Barnet will be shut tomorrow as teachers in the borough strike in a protest over pay, pensions and conditions.

Teachers will join their colleagues from London in a mass walkout organised by England’s two biggest teaching unions, National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the NASUWT.

Under the government’s reforms, due to come into effect in autumn, teachers’ pay will be linked to performance in classrooms and changes will be made to pensions.

The unions warned strike action could have been avoided had Education Secretary Michael Gove entered “meaningful talks” to resolve the dispute.

Bob Stapely, London NUT Regional Secretary, said: “Changes to pay and pensions will make teaching a less attractive profession, which is not in the long-term interests of teachers and children.

“No teacher takes strike action lightly, this is a last resort for teachers but the absolute refusal of the government to enter meaningful talks to resolve the dispute has left us with no choice.

“There needs to be a change in the Government’s attitude to teachers and education. The NUT and NASUWT continue to seek talks with the education secretary.