TEACHERS have walked out for a second time over plans to create a Leyton school trust.

NUT members at Norlington School for Boys, in Norlington Road, went on strike again today (Wednesday) as they claim no move has been made to negotiate.

Waltham Forest NUT secretary Rinaldo Frezzato said: “We've had no approach whatsoever from either the school or the local authority to settle the strike.

“Consequently, the committee has requested that the action is escalated.”

The union now plans to hold two- and three-day strikes from September if their demands are not met.

Mr Frezzato added: “We are extremely determined and we need to make it clear that the last action was not simply a one off.”

Picketers were also supported by members of the RMT and UNISON at the strike today.

Glenroy Watson, branch secretary of the RMT in Finsbury Park, said: “The school provides a service just as we do on the Underground but this seems determined to destroy that.”

Len Weiss, schools convenor for UNISON, added: “All the staff at the schools will no longer be employed by the local authority – they become employees of the governing body.”

Under the plans, a trust would be formed of Norlington School for Boys and what will be George Mitchell All-Through School.

The two schools will remain separate but will share a single “campus” as well as new facilities, funded by the Government under the Building Schools for the Future scheme.

The majority of the trust's governing body would be formed of representatives of the Institute of Education (IOE).

Campaigners and union members have said they believe a trust would not benefit pupils and have expressed concern over possible changes to teachers' pay and conditions.

Mr Frezzato added that picketers have received a message of support from Sally Hunt, who is the general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU).

The UCU, which has members working at the IOE, has said it is strongly opposed to the formation of school trusts.

Cllr Liaquat Ali, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I am extremely concerned that the welfare and education of Norlington pupils continues to be threatened by a dispute that is completely out of their hands.

“I respect the passion of these teachers but the education of our young people must absolutely come first.”