TEACHERS who went on strike last week say they are encouraged by the public support on show.

Union members at schools across South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire took part in the nationwide day of industrial action last Thursday amid a row with the government over pensions.

A large majority of secondary and primary schools, including Brimsham Green School in Yate, Katherine Lady Berkeley in Wotton-under-Edge and Castle School in Thornbury, were forced to close to pupils because of the number of teachers involved in the action but unions say public support was widespread.

A picket line was set up outside Castle School. National Union of Teachers (NUT) representative and media studies teacher Colin Watson said: "We convinced an awful lot of people that we have a very sound case.

"It was a very successful day and a positive rather than divisive experience and we shall continue to campaign on the issue in the autumn if the government does not make any concessions."

The NUT and Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) are unhappy with proposed pension changes, which they say would mean teachers would have to work longer and pay more and would have less when they retired.

The Department for Education called the strike premature and Education Secretary Michael Gove said he felt ‘disappointed’ that the industrial action went ahead despite ongoing talks.

South Gloucestershire NUT communications officer, Dave Lawlan, told the Gazette: "Generally it was very successful and we had a big turnout.

"Lots of public support was expressed by people honking their horns and talking to us. But not only that, we had success in exposing and scrutinising the government’s figures and rhetoric."

Mr Lawlan said he was hopeful a resolution could be found but warned more strikes could be held in the autumn.

"Negotiations are still taking place and hopefully the government has seen the strength of feeling and has seen some of their arguments revealed as invalid," he said.

"But I think it will need more action in the autumn with more unions from the public sector, like Unite and the GMB, getting involved."