Thousands of Hackney school children got the day off as strike action by teachers forced the closure of 47 schools.

The National Education Union, known as the NEU, staged the strike over calls for a pay rise.

Union leaders said the average 5%  pay offer is 7% behind inflation and is “unsustainable”  as teachers struggle with the cost of living crisis.

Some Hackney schools remained partially open, with some only open for specific age groups, vulnerable pupils and children with parents who are critical workers.

Haggerston School was planning to remain open for Year 13 pupils in the second year of sixth form all day, and until lunchtime for children in Year 11 who are doing GCSEs this summer.

Jamie Duff from Hackney NEU said: “Teachers have had enough of low pay and a lack of funding.”

Hackney Gazette: Photo from Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville's Twitter feed showing teachers on the picket line in Hackney. Photo: Twitter/@PhilipGlanville

He added: “We do not want to strike but feel that the Government is refusing to listen. This is the only way we can get our voices heard. We have suffered a real – terms pay cut of an estimated 23% since 2010.

“Inflation is running at well over 10%. We are demanding a fully funded and reasonable pay rise. Pay us a fair wage and stop undermining the profession.”

He said it is harder for schools to recruit and keep staff and called for the government to invest in teachers.

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Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville and Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble visited the picket lines at London Fields to lend their support to striking teachers.

He said there was “so much support for our teachers from parents, residents, children, public sector workers and passers-by.”

Meanwhile, library staff across Hackney held strike action against the council’s plans for some redundancies as part of a shake-up of the service.

Unite and Unison members are on strike today (Wednesday, February 1) and are due to walk out again on Friday (February 3).

Unison said library staff were concerned about Hackney Council’s plans which could see the loss of 20 frontline staff, some Sunday working and could “create a very stressful environment.”

The council said some staff have been wanting to take voluntary redundancy for some time. It also says remaining staff will get higher paid jobs and more training, and will only work one Sunday in seven.

Unison paused its strikes last month for further discussions.

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