Hundreds of striking teachers and lecturers and their supporters marched through Oxford today before rallying in Broad Street.

They joined teachers from across the country walking out in a dispute over pay.

National Education Union branch secretary for Oxfordshire Nick Childs said industrial action would affect schools across the county.

READ AGAIN: Oxfordshire teacher speaks out from picket line 

The NEU is the largest teaching union in the UK with 486,000 members in England and Wales. 

Oxford Mail:

It has about 2,800 members in Oxfordshire and teachers are striking for a fully funded inflationary pay award.

Those taking part carried banners and after gathering in New Inn Hall Street they marched through the city via Queen Street, Cornmarket and High Street before passing the Radcliffe Camera and arriving in Broad Street to listen to speakers.

Teachers chanted 'Tories out!' as they gathered in front of the Clarendon Building.

Oxford Mail:

Lucy Coleman, joint branch secretary of the NEU, said: "We are asking for an inflation-proof pay rise. The government has offered five per cent but it is not fully funded. It does not match inflation.

"Teachers are leaving and we are finding it impossible to recruit both teachers and support staff.

"People here today include teachers, university lecturers, parents and school pupils."

There were also about 30 picket lines at schools across the county, and outside Oxford Brookes University.

READ AGAIN: Teachers on picket lines across the county 

Oxford Mail:

Ms Coleman said teachers on strike realised education was vital and did not want to be out of school.

She added: "The real impact of the lack of government funding for schools over the past 12 years is pupilsare not getting the education they deserve."

Carol Wing and Lorna Sherwood, teachers at Langford Village Primary School in Bicester, were at the rally.

Ms Wing said: "Some teachers can't afford to pay their bills and are getting food from foodbanks while teaching assistants are taking second and third jobs."

Oxford Mail:

Jemma Garraway, also a teacher at Langford Village primary, was at the rally with her daughter Etta, nine.

She said: "Teachers are 23 per cent down since 2010 - this is not sustainable."

NEU members have also served notice of strike action on members have served notice of strike action on March 2, 15, and 16.

A Department for Education spokesperson said earluer: “Strike action is highly damaging to children’s education, particularly following the disruption that children have experienced over the past two years.

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"We have been clear we want to support school leaders to do everything they can to keep as many children in school as possible.”

Oxford Mail:

The spokesperson also said this year about 40 per cent of classroom teachers will receive pay rises through progression or promotion of up to 15.9 per cent, and those at the top were earning at least £43,685, which they claim is about a third of all classroom teachers.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF