'Schools hit by strikes are not run by us' explains education chief as disruption at Staffordshire and Birmingham trust continues

Among the disputes is an ongoing row over compulsory redundancies at schools in Lichfield, Tamworth and Birmingham run by the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. 

On Monday six trust schools were closed including St Michael's CE Primary and St Chad's CE Primary, both in Lichfield. 

Staffordshire County Council's education chief  Councillor Janet Higgins said: “Academy schools are the responsibility of the Department for Education. We are clear that the best place for children is learning in school, and these strikes are disruptive to pupils.

 “We are continuing to liaise with the Department for Education to ensure they are seeking a resolution to these strikes as soon as possible, so children can get back to learning in school.”

Sutton Coldfield based Arthur Terry trust said 13 other schools were partially closed due to the National Education Union (NEU) actions and five schools were fully open and operating.

The trust stated: “We continue to work hard to tackle the financial challenges we face so that we can bring stability to the Trust and schools as quickly as possible.

"To ensure we move forward rapidly to secure our long-term future, we have already implemented a programme of significant change. This includes identifying numerous savings, continuing to review every area of expenditure and appointing external and experienced senior leaders.

"We also continue to engage constructively with the NEU and while further strikes have been scheduled, arrangements remain in place to ensure all pupils can continue their learning."Our schools, pupils and families are at the heart of every decision and process in place. We remain committed to resolving this dispute as swiftly as possible and doing everything we can to support a stronger and more sustainable future for our schools."

In separate disputes NEU members at Wombourne High School and Kinver High School run by Invictus Education Trust have ben striking working arrangements and at Doxey Primary Academy in Stafford, GMB members have been striking over teaching assistant contracts. 

The following Arthur Terry trust schools are fully closed today:

• Curdworth Primary, Sutton Coldfield 

• Hill West Primary, Sutton Coldfield 

• Mere Green Primary, Sutton Coldfield 

• St Michael's C of E Primary, Lichfield 

• St Chad's CE Primary, Lichfield 

• Osborne Primary, Erdington

The following schools are partially closed, but open to vulnerable pupils and/or specific classes or exam years:

•  Anna Seward Primary

• Paget Primary

• Slade Primary

• William MacGregor Primary

• Two Gates Primary

• The Coleshill School

• The Royal Sutton School

• Nether Stowe School

• Stockland Green School

• The Arthur Terry School

• West Coventry Academy

• Scotch Orchard Primary

• Coton Green Primary 

The following schools remain open as usual:

• The Bridge Academy

• Greysbrooke Primary

• Brookvale Primary

• Dunstall Park Primary

• Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant