STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James has revealed she would teach strikers a lesson by going back to school herself.

Teachers are set to walkout tomorrow (Thursday) as part of a massive nationwide day of action in protest at proposed changes to public sector pensions, with around 16 Stourbridge schools set to be affected.

Ms James, who is a governor at Redhill School in Junction Road, Stourbridge, says she would beat the teachers’ strike by taking to the classroom to keep schools open.

Ms James said: “This strike action will most definitely have a negative impact on children’s education and the extra burden it will place on families, especially where the parents work, should not be underestimated.

“I am delighted that Redhill School is not closing; I am only sorry that due to my commitments on the Health and Social Care Bill Committee I am not able to offer my assistance personally.

“Had I been able to be in Stourbridge during the school day I would certainly have offered to help facilitate classes personally where there was a teacher absence.”

The walkout, by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, will cause disruption for thousands of parents and pupils but union bosses say taking action is a last resort.

Jim Warner, from the National Union of Teachers’ Dudley branch, said: “Any action we take will disrupt arrangements parents have to make, but there is no other avenue available to teachers.

“We want a teaching force that is positive and upbeat, not demoralised and paying for a crisis that is not of their making.”

Civil servants in the PCS union are also expected to join the action which is predicted see up to 750,000 people on strike for the day.

The dispute is about proposals to increase worker’s pension contributions and raise retirement ages to cut the cost of payouts to public sector employees.

Nigel Bayton, branch secretary for West Midlands Revenue and Customs PCS at The Waterfront, said: “The average civil servant’s annual pension when they retire is less than £5000, hardly the gold-plated one we keep hearing about.

“The government plan to take this action despite National Audit Office and The Commons Public Accounts Committee confirming that public sector pensions are affordable now and sustainable in the future.”

Dudley Council advises parents to visit www.dudley.gov.uk and contact schools directly for the latest school closure information.