School's not quite out as few local teachers strike

With more than 6,000 schools in England and Wales facing disruption and closure during the one-day strike, 10 Bexhill schools were either fully open or partly open.

Four unions, The Public Sectors Union, The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, The National Union of Teachers and the University and College Union, called upon public sector members to support the one-day strike over the government’s proposed changes to the pension system.

Approximately 3,500 schools up and down the country closed in support of the strike action and 2,600 were partly closed.

Announcing the figures in the House of Commons Education Secretary Michael Gove said the strike was “regrettable, unnecessary and premature”, adding: “This strike at this time will not help our schools.”

The unions argue that the proposed pension changes will mean members will have to work longer and receive less when they retire.

However, of the 14 local schools there were only four closures. They were: All Saints CE Primary, Sidley; Chantry Community Primary School; Sidley Community Primary School; St Mary’s Special School. Most of these schools were unavailable for comment and Bursar of St Mary’s simply said: “The school is closed due to industrial action.”

There was some disruption for pupils of class 3CS at St Peter and St Paul CE School - the only class affected by the strike. Parents were asked to take their children into school at midday.

St Richard’s Catholic College and Little Common Primary School were partly closed.

Battle Abbey, Bexhill College, Bexhill High, Gylne Gap School, King Offa, Ninfield CE, and Pebsham Community Primary School, were open as usual.

Principle of Bexhill High, Mike Conn, said his job as head of the school was to ensure that it remained open, adding: “There are very few members of staff who have taken action and we only close if there are serious health and safety issues.”