TEACHERS from William Cobbett County Middle School and St Polycarp's Primary School participated in NUT strike action yesterday (Thursday) over the high living costs in the area which is leading to problems with teacher retainment and recruitment.

Although nationally this is seen as a problem mainly affecting teachers in inner London, a growing number of schools across South West Surrey are just as badly affected.

The NUT wants the cost-of-living allowances to go up by a third, taking the inner London payment from £3,000 to £4,000.

The government has offered a 3.5 per cent increase which would amount to an extra £105, an offer rejected by the NUT last week who voted in favour of strike action.

Larry Peppin, headteacher of William Cobbett, stressed that an increase in fringe allowances was just as necessary as higher allowances for those living in London.

"People seem to think that the minute you get out of London the house prices drop, but house prices around Farnham are among the highest in the UK and as a result we are suffering serious recruitment problems.

"Only recently Waverley put up the council tax which only added to the burden."

The majority of staff at William Cobbett are older teachers who have years of experience and recruiting newer ones has become a growing problem.

Mrs Peppin added: "Two new teachers we had who were in their first year of teaching live with their parents because it is the only way they can make ends meet.

"Many come for interview but when they see the cost of houses they are put off. We have seen a number move further a field, to the Midlands and up north where the cost of living is more manageable."

Serious recruitment problems for the school began in April last year.

Recruiting staff became so difficult, Mrs Peppin was forced to look to the internet and eventually offered a temporary position to an Australian teacher she interviewed over the phone.

Although not a member of the union herself she is sympathetic to the problems facing her staff.

"This is a real issue for me. If I can't find the teachers and the best ones, and the reason for this is high house prices and rents then I am sympathetic to their cause, someone has got to make a stand."

Headteacher at St Polycarp's Lawrence Henry has not suffered with recruitment problems to such an extent

However, ten teachers from the school were involved in strike action and because of the number of classes affected the school was closed for the day.

Mr Henry said: "No teacher would take the decision to get involved lightly, but following recent negotiations the response teachers were hoping for wasn't forthcoming and they felt they were left with no alternative."