DESPITE action taken by a teachers' union to go strike last Thursday there was still plenty of work being done at Okehampton College — despite it being 'officially' closed for the day. While National Union of Teachers' members walked out in a national dispute with the Government over an annual pay increase, the principal of the Okehampton College said the day was certainly not wasted in terms of preparation for important forthcoming exams. Darryl Chapman told the Times: 'We have quite a proportion of staff of the 80 teaching staff who are in the NUT and we looked very hard at partial closure but with regret we had to close the school.' 'I will not be drawn into commenting on the issues concerning the strike itself, we all have our own opinions on that. However, what I will say is that in no way am I questioning the professionalism, the attitute and caring professionalism shown by my staff, which is beyond question.' Despite its 'closure' staff and pupils took part in educational trips which had been arranged prior to the strike action, the sixth form continued their studies and some groups of pupils were invited in by staff to continue with important GCSE preparation. Mr Chapman said: 'This was not a day wasted in terms of the work that had to be done.'
