TEACHERS called off their strike threat today after reaching a last-minute agreement over job losses.

More than 400 NUT members employed by Brighton and Hove Council had voted to take action if there were compulsory redundancies at Marina High School.

They were angry at the way teachers have been treated under a "fresh start" plan to reopen the Brighton school as a media and arts college.

Staff were told they would have to reapply for their jobs.

But the strike action was called off today when the Sussex branch of the NUT learned that none of its members will face compulsory redundancy.

Agreements have been reached over settlement packages for voluntary redundancies, and other teachers have found jobs elsewhere.

Patrick Ginnelly, from the Sussex regional office of the NUT, said: "The decision went right to the wire and teachers would have gone on strike in support of colleagues at Marina High if there had been compulsory redundancies.

"It is very sad that a lot of good teachers will still be lost to Marina High through settlement packages and finding jobs elsewhere.

"Staff there have been through an incredibly difficult time but now we can look forward and give our support to staff and children at the new college.

"The LEA could have avoided many of the problems and this outcome shows how valuable it is for them to negotiate with the unions."

More than 59 per cent of NUT members in the authority voted in the ballot and 458 of them - 93 per cent - said they would be prepared to strike if there were compulsory redundancies.

When it reopens in September, Marina High will be known as East Brighton College of Media Arts.

The college will still have the same pupils and GCSE courses, but there will be a strong emphasis in the curriculum on media, arts and sport.

The council has so far appointed 53 out of 59 new staff at the school.

There are still six teaching vacancies to fill and interviews are being held this week.

The council believes the "fresh start" plan it is the best way of raising standards at the school, where last year just 13 per cent of pupils gained five or more top grade GCSEs.

Parents have demonstrated outside the school in support of staff.

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