The decision to suspend striking teachers’ pay in Northern Ireland will be reviewed if they agree to seek mediation, the education minister said today.

Hundreds of school students in Co Down have been sent home for a second day running due to a dispute over a pupil who allegedly assaulted a teacher.

Teachers expected to join industrial action at a secondary school in the North called today for independent mediators to become involved.

Hundreds of pupils at a secondary school in Northern Ireland were sent home today after teachers went on strike as a dispute over a pupil who assaulted a teacher deepened.

Teachers at a secondary school in the North were on strike today as a dispute over a pupil who assaulted a teacher deepened.