MORE than 1,100 students were unable to come into school following strike action outside Villiers High School this morning.

Members of Ealing NUT and the Association of Teachers and lecturers were on strike from 6am to about 8.30am following allegations of bullying and mismanagement at the school.

Headteacher Juliet Strang, who along with the school governors has strongly denied the allegations, said the school was partly closed and only sixth formers and students taking exams were on site - about 90 of Villiers' 1,250 pupils.

She said: “I'm very sad that the school has had to close because there's no good reason for it. It will be very upsetting for parents and children whose education is being unnecessarily damaged.”

She added that 91 out of a total 178 staff chose not to strike.

School managers had been in last minute talks with union reps yesterday (Tuesday December 8). Ms Strang said that even though the school agreed to every demand made, reps left the meeting at 3pm claiming it was too late to call off the strike.

Nick Grant, secretary of Ealing NUT, said that teachers were reluctant to strike and a meeting had been held for parents in Southall on Sunday to keep them informed.

He said: "The school only have themselves to blame for the strike action going ahead. We have been available for negotiations for weeks on end but nothing was done."

More on this as we get it.