Teachers at NewVIc sixth form college in Plaistow are to stage walkout this afternoon(Thursday) in a dispute over pay and funding cuts.

Members of the National Union of Teachers will also lobby Newham MPs Lyn Brown and Stephen Timms in a bid to reverse what they describe as harmful government cutbacks to 16-19 funding.

The college said it would remain open despite the industrial action, but admitted it was unsure which members of staff would leave work after lunch.

About 60 workers at NewVIc are NUT members.

NUT divisional secretary Peter Smith said the strike was reduced from a full day after talks with employers.

He said: “I hope the college will see that we are on the same side and we will try to work together in the best way we can.

“This is the first time that strikes have taken place at just sixth form colleges.”

A NewVIc College spokesman said students would be largely unaffected.

She said: “Until we know who is striking it is hard to know how our two periods in the afternoon will be affected.

“All of the college’s areas will be open, we expect that many of the classrooms will be open.”