Teachers went on strike for three weeks (Image: Getty)
Video footage has captured the moment fed-up students allegedly counter-protested their teachers, who have been striking during exam season. Union members at Connaught School for Girls, London, have been on strike for three weeks since April 21 during the GCSE and Mock Exam period, over what it called “unfair management practices and increased workload”. The National Education Union said members also feel they were targeted for redundancy.
However, concerned parents and students decided to “take a stand” and hold counterprotests at the picket line every day until the strikes ended, which officially ended on May 8. Videos appear to show the children speaking into a megaphone at their teachers, as some protestors turned their backs.
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One pupil can be heard saying: “You clearly have no regard for the future of the students. We want an education that we deserve. Sitting outside and yelling at students is doing nothing for you.”
There appears to be friction at the picket line, with one protester appearing to slow-clap the students when asked to turn around and get back to work.
Another added: “The fact you have done during GCSE and Mock Exam period make us think you have no consideration for your students.” The counter-protestors claimed some teachers had already taken extended time off during the year.
Shared by GB News presenter Alex Armstrong, he said the teachers should feel ashamed.
He posted: “Socialist teachers who are striking, right in exam mock periods, are being counter protested by very grown up and sensible teenagers DEMANDING that they be taught back in school. These ‘teachers’ should be ashamed of themselves.”
Mr Armstrong claimed the teachers were “draped in Gaza flags”, while the video appears to show one person holding a Palestine flag. He added: “Keep your politics out of our schools and DO YOUR JOB.”
A concerned parent called on the community to join a counter strike in the Leyton Resident News Facebook page. While they sympathised with the teachers, they claimed strikes happen every year during the exam period.
I can’t believe what I’ve just watched.
Socialist teachers who are striking, right in exam mock periods, are being counter protested by very grown up and sensible teenagers DEMANDING that they be taught back in school.
These “teachers” should be ashamed of themselves. Draped in… pic.twitter.com/4U21JSWmLe
— Alex Armstrong (@Alexarmstrong) May 8, 2026
They said: “Connaught teachers are on strike…again, this is their 3rd week and their 5th+ year in a row. What is especially frustrating is the timing which falls in the final crucial revision weeks of GCSEs, and also in to exams.”
They acknowledged that while Connaught School had kept the school open and used substitute teachers to fill gaps, there were “not like for like replacements of our kids actual teachers”.
The teachers also received widespread support. Responding to the Facebook post, one supporter stated that while education is very important, teachers are “vitally important to society and deserve to be paid and have as much proper time off as the rest of society”.
They continued: “If teachers are continuously overworked and underpaid, it impacts every child in the future. Support your teachers.”
Around 30 strikers and supporters joined the picket line in Waltham Forest, including activists from NEU union branches across London and further afield. Former pupils also joined the teachers in solidarity on Wednesday.
Reqaiyah told Socialist Worker that “the people in charge don’t care about the welfare of the staff or the success of the pupils”.
“The teachers and support workers should be fairly compensated and we’ll continue to fight alongside them until they are,” she said.
The Express has contacted Connaught School for comment.