UNION members representing Norlington School for Boys have called on the Institute of Education to pull out of a scheme to make the school part of a trust.

The plans, part of the Government's Building Schools for the Future initiative, would see the school fall under a single school trust with George Mitchell All-Through School, managed by the Institute.

Teachers, parents and campaigners have continued to voice strong opposition to the proposals since they were first mooted in 2007.

NUT members today met with members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the Institute of Education (IOE) in a bid to put a halt to the plans.

A joint statement issued by the two unions said: “Our unions are opposed to the Government's policy of converting community schools into privately-run academies and trusts.

“We believe that the democratically elected and accountable local authorities should run state schools.”

The statement added that while the unions recognise the IOE's role in training teachers, they do not believe it should take the role of education authority.

It continued: “We call upon the management of the IOE to reconsider its position as a matter of urgency in the interests of children and teachers in Waltham Forest and withdraw from sponsorship.

“Unions locally and nationally are determined to resist privatisation and semi-privatisation of the state education system.”

The statement also made note of the disruption caused to the education of pupils at Norlington following the dispute over trust status.

Following the meeting at the Institute, in central London, union members leafleted students and staff at the IOE on their cause.

A total of 27 teachers walked out and will not return to school until Monday following three days of strike action.

Two other one-day strikes have already taken place this year as teachers protest at the change of employer, as well as fears over the potentially damaging effect on pupils.

The plans also include building a new school to house Norlington on part of the Leyton Sports Ground, which has been fiercely opposed by local residents.

George Mitchell head Helen Jeffery has welcomed the plans and Norlington executive head Ruth Woodward has said she is confident a resolution can be reached.