Schools forced to close

HUNDREDS of schools in England are set to close today as teachers join university staff in two days of mass pay strikes dubbed ‘Walkout Wednesday’.

Members of the National Education Union will join 70,000 members of the University and College Union also staging industrial action at 150 sites.

GCSE and A-level pupils will be among those facing disruption while thousands of parents face taking days off work to look after their children.

NEU leaders have spurned Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s pledge to enter formal talks on pay and conditions if they pause the strikes.

But they face new pressure after two other unions said they had positive talks with Mrs Keegan on Monday and believe progress can be made.