Hundreds of schoolchildren hit as teachers to go on strike

Hundreds of schoolchildren in the Black Country and Staffordshire will be told to stay away from school on Tuesday because of a national teachers strike.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) will hold their first nationwide strike since 2014 on that day.

The scale of the disruption is unlikely to be fully known until the strike action takes place and councils are made aware of where schools have closed or partly closed.

Oldbury Academy's acting headteacher Philip Shackleton sent a letter to parents, which has been published on the school's website, warning of disruption for children and parents.

Just under a quarter of NUT members voted on strike action in a recent ballot, with 91.7 per cent in favour of taking it.

Acting NUT general secretary Kevin Courtney said: "The majority of schools will be affected either through complete closure, partial closure or reduced timetable. All NUT members working in local authority schools or academies will be eligible to take part in the strike on July 5."

Wednesfield High School will also be shut, headteacher Claire Gilbert confirmed in a letter to parents.

Perryfield High School's Year 8 and 9 will not be required in Oldbury, but other pupils will still be accommodated, while George Salter Academy in West Bromwich will be closed for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils.

Chase Terrace High School in Burntwood will only be open for Year 10 and Year 12 pupils.

But Barnsfield Primary School in Stafford, Bishop Lonsdale Primary School in Eccleshall and Princefield First School in Penkridge will be closed.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We are already in regular and constructive talks with the NUT on pay and conditions.

"It is disappointing that they have chosen to continue with this unnecessary and damaging strike, which less than a quarter of its members voted for, despite our ongoing commitment to formal talks addressing their concerns.