Progress made in teacher strike

Teachers are protesting about having their pay blocked

The two sides at the centre of a strike at Movilla High School in Newtownards are to attend talks at the Labour Relations Agency on Thursday.

It is understood the South Eastern Education Library Board and the NAS/UWT union have agreed a form of words which will allow them to go into discussions.

Some staff are striking over having pay docked because they refused to teach a pupil who they say assaulted a teacher.

It is hoped pupils will be able to return to classes on Friday.

The SEELB supported the school's governors decision not to expel the child, which consequently led to the strike action, which began on Monday.

In a statement, the SEELB described the incident as having been "appropriately and proportionately dealt with" by the board of governors.

The board had told the protesting teachers they would not be paid, even if they were teaching other classes normally.