Teachers are to walk out of classes at Hackney Community College today (Thursday) in a strike over pay and pensions.

The University and College Union (UCU) has called for mass action against cuts to education and about 165 members at HCC will be taking part, picketing outside the college gates in Falkirk Street, Shoreditch.

Students will join them in protest against government proposals to change eligibility rules for free English classes.

Rose Veitch, HCC teacher and UCU representative, said: “Nominally, we are striking over cuts to pay and pensions. But we’ll also be using this opportunity to object en-mass to the coalition’s dismantling of post-16 state education.”

Ian Ashman, HCC principal, said : “While there will be some disruption to classes on 24th March, we will make sure that students are told in advance to minimise their inconvenience.” “The college will be open and where teachers are absent, students may study and be supervised in our learning centre.

“More generally, we are working closely with trades unions to lobby government over the proposed changes to further education funding, as was reported in the Gazette last week.”

He said the advertised open evening would go ahead as planned.