Haringey parents and teachers have poured scorn on Michael Gove’s suggestion that parents could volunteer to keep schools open during today’s strike, writes Joe Sandler Clarke.

More than 30 schools are set to close in Haringey, with a further 14 expecting severe disruptions.

Samantha Perkins, a mother of two children at Rokesly School, branded the education secretary’s suggestion as ‘insulting to both parents and teachers’. She and other parents said supporting Mr Gove’s proposal would undermine teachers.

Headteacher of Weston Park Primary School, Andrew Wickham, and headteacher Patrick Cozier of Highgate Wood Arts College, also rejected the idea.

Despite the disruptions which will cause a major inconvenience to parents, secretary of the National Union of Teachers Tony Brockman said the strikes are necessary to show the strength of their conviction.