Hundreds of striking workers marched through Ipswich town centre on Wednesday, calling for "fairer pay and better working conditions."
The rally, which consisted mainly of teachers from the National Education Union, began at the University of Suffolk's Waterfront building before crossing Stoke Bridge and congregating on the Cornhill.
"Our children deserve the very best," said Kasia Zych, a reception teacher in Ipswich.
"We are not just fighting for better pay in comparison to inflation, but also for fairer funding for our schools.
"We have so many problems with both recruiting and retaining staff.
"This is about the future of our children."
Colin Walker is the branch secretary for Suffolk at the NEU and a teacher in Bury St Edmunds.
"This is about three issues: pay, recruitment and retention, and the need for a fully-funded pay rise," he said.
"The government has not funded any recent pay rise, so schools have had to make cutbacks as a result of it coming out of their budget.
"Real pay has also decreased by 20% since 2010.
"On top of that, one in eight teachers leave the profession after the first year, while one in three leave after their fifth year.
"So we are not getting enough people fed in and too many people are leaving the industry."
More than 100,000 teachers were expected to strike across the UK, with industrial action coinciding with walkouts from train drivers, university staff and civil servants.
"Today is a combination of strikes by multiple unions," said Margaret Bulaitis, secretary of the Ipswich and District Trade Union Council.
"Many members are struggling at the moment.
"Some are even having to go to food banks.
"No one has taken this decision lightly, but they have had enough."
Organisers said Wednesday's rally turnout was the largest they had seen - with people from across Suffolk attending with both friends and family.
"I'm here today because schools are understaffed and our students need quality teaching," said schoolteacher, Jack Abbott.
"This isn't about the money. It's about the future of those that we see and teach every day."
"We want the best possible future for our children," added Steve Quigley, another schoolteacher in Suffolk.
"I'm not here because of my pay. It's more to do with the fact that pay rises haven't been funded by the government.
"Schools have had to lay off staff and make cutbacks. At the moment, the situation is very bleak for students."
Meg Kennedy, a recently retired Suffolk teacher of 32 years, said she had joined the march "in solidarity" with striking workers.
"Over the last 12 years, teachers have been put under more and more pressure," she said.
"This isn't just a pay dispute. It's so much more. They are being underfunded and overworked.
"Today is about saying enough is enough."
At the Cornhill, a number of members stood on the steps of the Town Hall to give speeches.
One of those was Nathan Hope, West Suffolk district secretary for the NEU and teacher in Bury St Edmunds.
Speaking to this newspaper, he said: "We're here to send a message to the government that we need fully funded pay rises so we can deliver the best quality education for children.
"If I'm honest, I'm worried about the future of the profession.
"We're struggling to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and that's really worrying.
"We have amazing staff, and it's time for the government to negotiate so we can all get back to the classroom and get back to doing what we love."
On Wednesday, the following partial or full closures had been announced:
Schools partially closed:
- Abbots Green Academy, Bury St Edmunds
- Abbot’s Hall Community Primary School, Stowmarket
- Bacton Primary School, Bacton, near Stowmarket
- Chantry Academy, Ipswich
- Claydon High School
- East Bergholt High School
- Gislingham C of E Primary School, Gislingham, near Stowmarket
- King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds
- Mendlesham Primary School, Mendlesham, near Stowmarket
- St Benedict's Catholic School, Bury St Edmunds
- St Edmund's Catholic Primary School, Bury St Edmunds
- Westley Middle School, Bury St Edmunds
- Stowmarket High School, Stowmarket
- Stowupland High School, Stowupland
- Stradbroke High School
- Thurston CE Primary Academy, Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds
Schools fully closed:
- Breckland School, Brandon
- Sybil Andrews Academy, Bury St Edmunds
- Sidegate Primary School, Ipswich
- County High School, Bury St Edmunds
- Thurston Community College, Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds
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