STAFF at a special needs school are set to strike after claiming they are at “breaking point” after years of “not being given the correct pay rises”. More than 100 support staff from Columbus School and College in Chelmsford and Pioneer School in Basildon formed picket lines on Wednesday, January 28 in the pay row reports the Local Democracy Reporter. The staff are asking for an allowance for dealing with special needs children £2,800. A spokesperson for Lift Schools said: “We have been in discussion with Unison about pay for our support staff at these schools. “All of our support staff are incredibly valued and we want to take meaningful action to recognise their work.