TEACHERS are set to march through the streets of Oxford tomorrow as schools around the county close due to strikes.

Last night 21 schools had confirmed they would either close or part-close as part of the national day of action by the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Only one school, The Marlborough School, in Woodstock, has confirmed it will remain open.

Members of the NUT are holding the rallies in protest at high workloads, and issues surrounding pay and pensions.

In October, hundreds of teachers rallied in Bonn Square and thousands of pupils affected by the one-day strike.

Schools are asked by Oxfordshire County Council to update it on whether there is a closure in place, but education chief Melinda Tilley said it was not easy to get an updated and accurate list for parents.

Mrs Tilley said: “It is a pity they feel they have to take this action.

“The teachers’ issue is not with us, it is with the Government but in this situation people always come to us to provide the information and to seek the answer. We are reliant on the schools though. I know headteachers will always try and keep open and there are quite a few partially open.”

NUT regional secretary Gawain Little said: “We have had a lot of support from parents. For the past four weeks we have been running information stalls across Oxfordshire and parents are really positive about the strike.

“I think the reason for that is what this Government is doing doesn’t just affect teachers but also affects children and they understand it is not just about protecting teachers but their children’s education.”

NUT members will gather at the Radcliffe Camera ar 12.30pm before marching for a rally in Bonn Square tomorrow.

  • Visit oxfordmail.co.uk tomorrow morning for the latest school closures