TEACHERS across Wirral are taking part in a national strike today against funding cuts and changes to teachers’ terms and conditions.

A rally was held Hamilton Square this morning following a protest march through the town from Exmouth Street.

Wirral Globe:

Teachers march through Birkenhead this morning. Pictures: Craig Manning

Members of the country’s largest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers, said the strike is not about pay but about the "break-up of the education system" and teachers' employment rights.

Around 1,000 Wirral teachers are on strike, with around 30 taking part in the march from Exmouth Street in Birkenhead to the town hall.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral teachers at Hamilton Square following march through Birkenhead as part of strike action.

Ian Harris, Wirral association secretary for NUT, told the Globe: "The cuts will mean increased class sizes, less support for children and individual support.

"We want a fair education for all children.

"Teachers don't come out on strike easily. We'd prefer to be at school teaching the children, but if we don't do this, things will get a lot worse."

Mr Harris continued: "It's quite a widely-supported campaign - about 50% of schools are closed today so that's quite a big impact with only around 30 schools open."

Wirral Globe:

Wirral teachers and union representatives before this morning's march through Birkenhead as part of strike action.

Kevin Courtney, acting general secretary of the NUT, said: “The NUT is taking strike action in response to the funding crisis in our schools, which is impacting on teachers’ terms and conditions and children’s education.

“The NUT is also highlighting the complete break-up of our education system into individual academies, which is resulting in a breakdown of teachers’ employment rights.

“Hard fought for entitlements such as sick leave and maternity/paternity rights are under attack.

"Meanwhile, pay systems are now being decided at school level.

“This is a monumental waste of head teachers’ time.”

Mr Courtney said schools need extra funding to meet the extra costs the Government has imposed through increased National Insurance and pension payments, which amounts to a 5% increase on the money each school spends on teacher salaries.

An Education Department spokesman said: "We are already in regular and constructive talks with the National Union of Teachers on pay and conditions.

"It is disappointing that they have chosen to continue with this unnecessary and damaging strike, which less than a quarter of its members voted for, despite our ongoing commitment to formal talks addressing their concerns.

"Industrial action causes disruption to children's education, to their parents who have to take time out of work to arrange childcare and also damages the reputation of the profession."

Council controlled schools which will be closed are: 

Bebington High Sports College

Castleway Primary School

Devonshire Park Primary School

Hayfield School

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

Irby Primary School

Kingsway Primary School

Mendell Primary School

Mersey Park Primary School

Mount Primary School

Our Lady and St Edward's Catholic Primary School

Overchurch Infant School

Ridgeway High School

Somerville Primary School

St John's Catholic Junior School

Stanton Road Primary School

The Observatory School

Well Lane Primary School

Woodlands Primary School

39 schools will remain fully open and 50 partially affected.