Teachers across the region are are staging a 24-hour strike. They are involved in a national dispute with the government over school funding. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said children's education was being put at risk.
The National Union of Teachers is staging a strike today over what it says is inadequate school funding.
NUT acting leader Kevin Courtney is calling for an increase in funding to meet rising costs for schools.
Education Secretary Nikki Morgan has said the strike will "damage the profession's reputation in the eyes of the public".
In a letter to Mr Courtney she urged him to reconsider the industrial action:
"I would personally like to thank the local community for their amazing donations of food, toiletries and clothing. "
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There has been resistance to calls to dismantle memorials to the explorer.