Reports of residents taking food and drink to those on the picket lines

Hundreds of Hackney teachers have joined a mass walkout today forcing more than 17,000 pupils to stay at home.

The Learning Trust has confirmed that 51 schools in the borough are completely closed today, with a further 16 just partially open.

Teachers are angry about the government’s proposals for their pension schemes, which they say will see them paying more, working longer and receiving less when they retire.

The seven Hackney schools fully open are St. Mary’s CE Primary School, St. Monica’s RC Primary School, Lubavitch Ruth Lunzer Girls’ Primary School, Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls School, Springfield Community Primary School, Mossbourne Community Academy and London Fields Primary School.

Scores of teaching staff and students stood on a picket line outside BSix College in Kenninghall Road, which reportedly attracted the attention of former children’s laureate Michael Rosen who was filming for a BBC television piece.

Residents living nearby brought protesters bacon sandwiches and tea in support of them this morning.

There was also a picket line outside the Learning Trust’s offices in Reading Lane, Hackney Central.

Hackney teacher and NUT member Jamie Duff was among the thousands to join the public sector workers’ demonstration in Westminster.

He said: “It’s huge. The strike is about pensions but it is also more than that. It is about the government’s attack on the public sector in general.” Parents have been picking up the pieces.

Stoke Newington-based columnist Suzanne Moore tweeted that her daughter would be staying at home with her as she worked.

“She will spend the day watching Jeremy Kyle and the Kardashians. Very educational,” she said.

Meanwhile civilian police staff and members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union also joined a picket line outside Stoke Newington Police Station in Stoke Newington High Street this morning.

What do you think about the strike action?