TEACHER strikes have been halted, but further walkouts have not been ruled out if negotiations fall flat.

About 30 members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) went on strike at Harwich and Dovercourt High School last Thursday in a protest about “management practices which impact on teachers’ working conditions and practices”.

Pupils in Years Eight, Nine and Ten were told not to attend lessons and to work online at home instead as the teachers took to the picket line.

The union had planned to go on strike again this Tuesday and Wednesday, but the threat was lifted after a lengthy meeting with school management on Friday.

Members of the National Union of Teachers had also given notice they were going to take industrial action yesterday, but they suspended the strike when talks began.

A spokesman for the Harwich and Dovercourt High School said: “Following constructive negotiations held at Harwich and Dovercourt High School on Friday, it has been agreed to suspend industrial action called by the NASUWT and NUT for the week beginning January 19 to enable further negotiations to take place to resolve the dispute.”

Further strike action by both of the unions is currently planned for January 27, 28 and 29, and will be held if negotiations fail.