TEACHERS in Teignbridge are due to walk out tomorrow as part of a national dispute over pay.

Schools in the district will be affected by the industrial action by members of the National Education Union with pickets expected outside schools in Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. 

The NEU is continuing its campaign for a ‘fully-funded, above inflation’ pay rise after members in England and Wales voted in favour of strike action. 

Pickets will be protesting outside Teignmouth Community School an Coombeshead College in Newton Abbot. Meanwhile Bradley Barton and Canada Hill primary schools in Newton Abbot will be partially open tomorrow due to the action. 

Wolborough Primary School in Newton Abbot is also due to be affected. 

Parents of children at Coombeshead College have been advised that the school is unable to open ‘fully’ today.

Bosses say the decision has been taken to ‘partially close’ to pupils in years 8, 9 and 10.

Any key workers or children who are vulnerable and supported by social services will still be entitled to a place in school. 

The NEU is taking action to call for above inflation pay increases, and wanting schools to get extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets.

Union district joint secretary Mike Gurney said: ‘We have had very strong support for the strike, both nationally but also in Devon and we have seen a growth in membership.’

He said schools are in ‘crisis’ and a third of teachers leave in the first five years. 

He said: ‘This means that many schools are struggling to recruit staff both teachers, teaching assistants and other staff. 

‘This means many classes are being covered by non specialists so one in eight maths lessons are taught by non specialists.

‘This is linked to the fact that schools are underfunded, less than they were in 2010. 

‘The extra funding announced in the autumn statement was a direct result of the campaign's by unions and others in education

‘Teachers have had their pay cut by over 20 per cent since 2010 and that is why schools cannot recruit and why recruitment targets were missed by 40 per cent for secondary teachers.’