FURTHER strike action is to go ahead at Norlington School for Boys over controversial plans to form a school trust with George Mitchell All-Through School.

Members of the NUT will stage two days of industrial action on November 3 and 4 in a bid to halt council plans to bring the two schools together under a single trust board headed by the Institute of Education.

They fear the plans will not be beneficial to pupils and have also expressed concerns over changes to pay and conditions.

They are also opposed to the removal of the schools from direct local authority control, which they say constitutes a change of employer.

Rinaldo Frezzato, Waltham Forest NUT secretary, said: “The issues have not been resolved.

“In order for talks to resume, we have said the current leaders of the governing body have to stand down.

“The chair and vice chair haven't done that, so we've called a strike.”

The walkout will be the third this year and will see union members picketing outside Norlington on November 3, although plans have not yet been confirmed to picket on November 4.

Mr Frezzato said: “Members are still determined to resist trust status. We haven't given in on that and the strike will be as solid as the previous two actions.”

Opposition has been fierce since the council put forward the plans, as campaigners, teachers and parents believe they will have a detrimental impact on the school and the surrounding area.

They include the proposal to use land on part of Leyton Sports Ground, which is currently under a covenant stating it must be used for recreation and leisure.

Talks with the Charity Commission have already proven the land cannot be 'appropriated' and in September, the council announced an 'action plan' in a bid to move forward with the scheme.

The council has confirmed it will not issue a new statement on the strikes.

Cabinet member for children Cllr Liaquat Ali has previously said the education of pupils at the school should 'come first', adding the council was 'working tirelessly' to resolve the dispute.

Executive Norlington head Ruth Woodward said, on taking the post in September, she was confident a solution could be reached and also that the partnership with the Institute of Education was to be welcomed.