Volunteers help school to stay open

Rachel de Souza invited community leaders to teach students at Ormiston Victory Academy at Costessey, near Norwich, after half of the teaching staff voted to join walkouts over public sector pensions.

Other pupils attended a workshop with West End stars at the Open Youth Venue in Norwich.

Ms De Souza attracted national attention after announcing plans to draft in former soldiers to run the classes, but the ex-servicemen pulled out.

In a Twitter message, she thanked “tonnes of staff and volunteers” who had helped. She added: “We are staying open for the children and working parents.”

Richard Bacon, Conservative MP for South Norfolk, said: “I am a great admirer of Rachel de Souza and all she is doing for students in the Costessey area.

“The unions might not like what we’re doing to keep the school open, but it is something we have to do for the pupils and for parents.”