STRIKE action is still on the cards at Norlington School for Boys over council plans to form a trust with George Mitchell All-Through School.

Members of the NUT staged walk-outs this summer as they are opposed to the plans, which would see the two schools governed by a single body headed by the Institute of Education.

Along with local campaigners, they believe the school trust would not be beneficial to pupils.

Protests have also been staged over the council's plans to build a new school on the disputed Leyton Sports Ground, which is held in trust.

The Charity Commission has already told the council the land cannot be appropriated for redevelopment.

However, new headteacher Ruth Woodward has been begun work at Norlington this term and has said she is confident the dispute can be resolved.

And NUT Steve White has said although strike action has been requested, a date has not been set and a meeting is to be scheduled to try to avoid further walk-outs.

He said: “Union representatives will meet with the council and the governing body to see if anything can be resolved without striking.

“However, previous experience tells us that that isn't likely.”

Plans to build on the sports ground were first mooted as early as 2007 and George Mitchell has already merged with Beaumont Primary School to form an all-through school.

The plans would include building a new school campus to house Norlington pupils on part of the Leyton Sports Ground, as well as facilities which would be shared by George Mitchell.

Teachers, parents and local campaigners have been vocally opposed to the plans since they first emerged and have staged numerous protests against them.

The council also recently held another meeting with the Charity Commission and the Guardian is awaiting a comment on the outcome.