A group of about 40 teachers carrying placards and banners gathered outside Peterborough Regional College, in Eastfield Road, to make their feelings known about the latest Government pay offer and increasing class sizes.

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While other teaching unions failed to back the first strike called by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in 20 years, it is thought that lecturers from the college and also New College, Stamford, who are members of the University and College Union (UCU), had joined the demonstration.

There was also backing for the teachers from members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) from the department of work and pensions, the land registry, and the driving test centre, who also staged a one-day protest.

The city council confirmed today that 11 primary, three secondary and one special school were fully closed today, while five primary and six secondary schools were partially closed. The majority of secondary schools were keeping their sixth forms open to help children already under pressure from looming GCSE and A-level exams.

After gathering outside the college the protestors waving banners calling for "Fair pay for teachers" marched down Eastfield Road flanked by police officers, to a rally at the nearby Millennium Centre. They were given support by some motorists hooting their horns.

The NUT is demanding a 4.1 per cent rise but have been offered 2.45 per cent and rises of 2.3 per cent in subsequent years.

One of the protestors, Bernard Bearne (60), a teacher at Matley Primary School, said: "This is a push too far. It's another demeaning offer following on from others."

Jill Boucher (66), a supply teacher for 40 years said: "I'm here sticking up for teachers. I didn't think I would ever strike again."
Stuart Kilby (35), a science teacher at Jack Hunt, said: "What the Government has promised us in real terms is no more than a pay cut."

Geoffrey Jennings, a law lecturer at New College, Stamford, and a member of UCU which is seeking a six per cent pay raise to match teachers' existing wages said: "We are trying to get a justification as to why schools get more that we do, but we are supporting those here today because they have a legitimate claim."

Meanwhile, driving instructors have been told tests will have to be re-arranged.


Peterborough City Council can confirm that 15 schools will be closed and a further 11 partially closed today as part of the national teachers' strike.

Schools which will be closed are:

• Beeches Primary School, Beech Avenue
• Gladstone Primary School, Gladstone Street
• John Clare Primary School, Helpston
• Matley Primary School, Orton Brimbles
• Middleton Primary School, Bretton
• Newark Hill Primary School, Eastfield Road
• Old Fletton Primary School, London Road
• St John's CofE Primary School, Orton Goldhay
• Welland Primary School, Scalford Drive
• Winyates Primary School, Orton Goldhay
• Wittering Primary School, Church Road
• Jack Hunt School, Ledbury Road
• St John Fisher RC School, Reeves Way
• Stanground College, Peterborough Road,
• Heltwate Special School, Bretton

Schools which will be partially closed are:

• Caverstede Early Years Centre, Walton
• Discovery Primary School, Walton
• Watergall Primary School, Bretton
• West Town Primary School, Williamson Avenue
• William Law C of E Primary School, Twelvetrees Avenue
• Arthur Mellows Village College, Glinton
• Bushfield Community College, Orton Goldhay
• Ken Stimpson Community School, Werrington
• The King's School, Park Road
• Orton Longueville School, Oundle Road
• The Voyager School, Walton