Strike shuts Smith's Wood school

SMITH'S Wood Sports College was closed today (Tuesday) as teachers walked out in a row over funding.
The school was one of dozens across the region forced to shut its doors due to industrial action, with many staff attending a rally in Victoria Square, Birmingham.
In a letter to parents, Smith's Wood's principals said they had taken the decision to close "reluctantly" but the staffing levels would have compromised health and safety.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) had balloted its members for strike action in an attempt to put pressure on the Government to give commitments about education funding.
Staff are also seeking action over teacher workloads.
The NUT's Acting General Secretary, Kevin Courtney, said: "This has been a very well supported strike, both by NUT members and the general public.
"We thank all those parents who have supported us despite the inconvenience it may have caused."
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan criticised the walk-out, accusing the union of "playing politics" with children's futures.
While the strike affected schools nationwide, preliminary figures suggest that around two thirds of institutions across the UK remained open.