Thousands of classes and schools disrupted as teachers strike in England and Wales

Hundreds of teachers joined rallies and picket lines in a strike over pay, pensions, and conditions.

16:20 26 March 2014

As the members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) joined rallies and picket lines in a strike over pay, pension, and conditions, thousands of schools in England and Wales were forced to suspend classes. The national walkout, which union leaders said was the last resort, was not joined by other teachers’ associations.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower explained the action saying that talks had not produced the right outcome. "We don't feel that enough progress has been made, actually we feel that no progress has been made," she said.

She added: "We do recognise the fact that young people are having their education disrupted and that parents are experiencing difficulties today."

Meanwhile, a Department of Education official has condemned the action and said: "Parents will struggle to understand why the NUT is pressing ahead with strikes over the government's measures to let heads pay good teachers more.

"They called for talks to avoid industrial action, we agreed to their request, and talks have been taking place weekly.

"Despite this constructive engagement with their concerns, the NUT is taking action that will disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession."