People in teaching jobs in London are preparing for strikes tomorrow (October 17th) in a dispute over pay, pensions and increasing workloads.

Up to two-thirds of schools are expected to be closed or at least partly closed in Hammersmith and Fulham. There are 55 primary and secondary state schools in the borough and 20 institutions have already confirmed they will be completely closed, while 15 others expect to be partially closed at some point during the day.

Bob Stapley, London regional secretary at the National Union of Teachers, said that strike action is always a last resort and never a step that any teacher takes lightly, adding that the teaching staff and unions are "very aware and concerned" about the inconvenience the industrial action causes parents.

He explained: "Unfortunately we are faced with a coalition government that is refusing to listen to the reasonable demands of the profession. Changes to pay, pensions and workload will make teaching a far less attractive profession, which is not in the long-term interests of teachers and children."

The NUT maintains the government reforms are making a career in teaching a far less attractive option for high-quality graduates and that will be very detrimental to the future economic and educational success of the UK.

Across the capital, the classroom disruption will affect schools in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking & Dagenham, while other schools in the south-east of England will also be affected, as teachers plan to march to Downing Street.

The proposed route is set to lead union members down Whitehall, past Downing Street and to a protest rally at Westminster’s Emmanuel Centre. They will assemble at Malet Street at 10.30 BST.

As somebody who is looking for a teaching job, what do you think about the changes to teachers' pay and working conditions? Do they have any effect on your determination to land a teaching role?