Agreement in trainers teacher row

Strikes planned at a school that sacked a teacher for wearing trainers in class have been called off.

Adrian Swain was fired for refusing to follow an unofficial staff dress code at St Paul's Way Community School in Tower Hamlets, east London.

National Union of Teachers members planned five one-day strikes from 19 March demanding his reinstatement.

But the union said it called off the strikes after reaching a confidential agreement with Tower Hamlets Council.

Mr Swain taught maths and science at the comprehensive secondary school for 17 years, and supported children with special needs.

The 56-year-old was fired in December last year for refusing to comply with a dress code that banned teachers from wearing trainers and tracksuit bottoms.

Lost appeal

Mr Swain lost an appeal against his sacking earlier this month, leading the union (NUT) to vote for strikes that would have "almost certainly" led to the school's temporary closure.

On Wednesday a Tower Hamlets council spokesman confirmed that the strikes had been called off.

"Talks between the union and the local authority have provided the basis for settling the dispute and the NUT considers the matter to be resolved," he said.

Mr Swain said he was unable to comment on the agreement.

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