TEACHERS at Peter Symonds College joined thousands of others yesterday (Thursday) marching to demand more funding and higher pay.

National Education Union (NEU) members picketed outside the Winchester college this morning before attending a rally in Parliament Square, London.

They also took part in a march to the Department for Education alongside teachers from 32 sixth form colleges taking strike action.

It is one of three strike days taking place before Budget Day. The previous date was February 12 and another to follow on March 10.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “The Conservatives have neglected 16-19 education and sixth form colleges in particular. No wonder our members are angry and determined to secure a properly funded post-16 sector for both students and staff.

“Gavin Williamson must take heed of this very real concern from a long-suffering sector and make the case to the Chancellor and the Prime Minister that the Budget on 11 March must include at the very least a £700m injection of new money to close the gap with schools. Otherwise the crisis in 16-19 funding will continue.”

In total, 38 per cent of all sixth form colleges and 16-19 academies took part action together.

The NEU is in dispute with the Secretary of State and seeking improved pay, conditions and employment through better funding for 16-19 education.

NEU members will be continue to take action to secure the funding needed to reverse job losses, class size increases, and cuts to teaching time and curriculum provision.

The union says that funding for 16-19 education has been cut by more and for longer than in schools and funding increases announced before the election are “grossly inadequate”.

A spokesperson said: “Jobs have been cut, class sizes have risen and pay has fallen. If the crisis continues to go unaddressed, the future of the sector is at threat and it is students’ education that will continue to suffer.”