Most Brent schools closed as teachers strike

MOST BRENT schools have closed today as predicted while teachers strike over proposed Government changes to their pension schemes.

Local public sector workers have joined thousands up and down the country taking action today, in what is considered to be the biggest day of striking for a generation.

Brent Council has listed the schools that are closed and partially closed on its website.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn up to a local rally this morning, outside The Torch pub in Wembley and near Brent Town Hall.

The Observer spoke to Hank Roberts, ATL general secretary, this morning, as the first members of the crowd started to arrive.

He said: "We have 60 people here already, and we are expecting many more, hundreds infact. We will stay here until 11am and then we will go to London for the bigger march.

"The atmosphere here is good, and there are a lot of people with banners."

The local rally, organised by several unions including ATL, UNISON and the NUT, will also feature speakers including Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, and Christine Blower, NUT general secretary.

Free light refreshments are being provided in the pub.

Shane Johnschwager, NASUWT secretary said, "Teaching is a hard job that no one ever gets rich doing. A good pension has always been part of the deal and all Brent teachers are asking for is a dignified retirement. We are sure that Brent parents recognise how hard their children's teachers work. The Government wants us to pay more, teach until 68 years of age, and receive less. Can anyone see the logic of this? Striking is a last resort. We feel we have been left with no choice."

All state schools in Brent are closed or partially closed today:

Partially closed

Barham Primary School

Braintcroft Primary School

Byron Court Primary School

Capital City Academy

Chalkhill Primary School

College Green Nursery School and Services

Harlesden Primary School

Oliver Goldsmith Primary School

Preston Park Primary School

Roe Green Junior School

St Andrew and St Francis CofE Primary School

Wykeham Primary School

Closed

Alperton Community School

Anson Primary School

Carlton Vale Infant School

Christ Church CofE Primary School

Claremont High (Academy)

Convent of Jesus and Mary RC Infant School

Copland (A Specialist Science Community College)

Crest Boys Academy

Crest Girls Academy

Curzon Crescent Nursery School

Elsley Primary School

Fawood Children's Centre

Fryent Primary School

Gladstone Park School

Granville Plus Children's Centre

JFS School

Kensal Rise Primary School

Kingsbury Green Primary School

Kingsbury High School

Lyon Park Infant School

Lyon Park Junior School

Malorees Infant School

Malorees Junior School

Manor School

Michael Sobell Sinai School

Mitchell Brook Primary School

Mora Primary School

Mount Stewart Infant School

Mount Stewart Junior School

Newman Catholic College

Oakington Manor Primary School

Our Lady of Grace RC Infant and Nursery School

Our Lady of Grace RC Junior School

Our Lady of Lourdes RC School

Park Lane Junior and Infant School

Preston Manor High School

Queen's Park Community School

Roe Green Infant School

Saint Joseph RC Junior School

Saint Mary Magdalen's RC Junior Mixed School

Saint Robert Southwell RC Primary School

Salusbury Primary School

St Gregory's Catholic Science College

St Joseph's RC Infant School

St Joseph's RC Primary School

St Mary's CofE Primary School

St Mary's RC Primary School

Sudbury Primary School

The Furness Primary School

The Kilburn Park School Foundation

The Stonebridge School

The Village

Uxendon Manor Primary School

Vernon House School

Wembley High Technology College

Wembley Primary School

Woodfield School

Anyone wanting to find out more can visit www.brent.gov.uk

Are you taking part in the strike action today? What do you think about the strikes and how do they affect you?