Solwhit proved a tough nut to crack at the head of affairs and looked as though he would take the glory again before Hurricane Fly's late burst.

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"The NUT is right to identify that head teachers should have a clear policy on school discipline, and they are also right to be critical of independent appeals panels, " said Mr Hoban.

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Other teachers' and head teachers' unions have backed the deal over workload, but the NUT says it is willing to stand alone.

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We also toured the nearby Tropical Plantation, a lush garden that houses a rich variety of tropical plants, where we learned the proper method of opening a coconut (the secret is a swift blow to the top of the nut, as it can be oriented as if it were a monkey's head).

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The five unions involved were Members of University College Union (UCU), the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

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