ONLY a handful of Merseyside schools opened, as striking staff ground the majority to a halt.
Thousands of school employees representing headteachers, teachers, canteen staff and caretakers from across the region took part in the walk-out.
It meant schools opening in the region were few and far between. Those bucking the trend included Sefton Park secondary St Hilda’s – the scene for a peaceful picket line protest yesterday morning.
Although most lessons were scrapped and the majority of pupils stayed at home, 43 students were able to sit a scheduled mock GCSE exam in IT.
It was possible because the exam invigilators, none of them teachers, were not members of the striking unions.
Staff who were not members of the striking unions also put on some classes at Prescot’s Evelyn Primary School.
Knowsley NASUWT secretary Damien McNulty, among those picketing outside, said: “The Government’s proposals are a tax on pensions.”
