FIFTY schools across the county will be affected when teachers stage a walkout over an argument about pay and pensions.

It will happen on Tuesday with schools taking part either being partially or fully closed for the day, and will be followed by a second day of strikes before the end of the autumn term.

Among those expected to completely close for the day are St Clement’s CE and St George’s CE primary schools in Worcester and the The Chase in Malvern.

John Dixon, head of organising and membership at the National Union of Teachers, said the action being taken was not decided lightly but was necessary.

“We have now been in dispute about this for a year. The dispute is about the changes the Government has made to pensions, the fact the Government has imposed new pay arrangements which are likely to lead to poorer rises of pay for teachers and the standard conditions teachers face leading to greater workloads, so it is on all three we are taking action.

“What we’re really worried about is Michael Gove just refusing to meet and talk about the real issues.

“He has no interest in talking about the real issues that teachers face because of his plans, just in how to implement them.

“The teachers have been left with no choice but to take this strike action.

“It is something that we do very rarely and we will do it with a heavy heart.”

The proposed changes teachers face across the country would see them working for longer, up to the age of 68, with longer hours and for less pay and pension.

Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “Our expectation is that schools will do everything they can to stay open, although individual schools will make their own decisions.

“We are monitoring the situation and making contingency plans to minimise any possible disruption.

“The county council will be providing appropriate advice and guidance to schools and headteachers in the lead up to the one-day regional strike on October 1.”

The county council have provided a live webpage where schools can update their status on whether or not they will be affected by the strike, for how long, and which classes are likely to be affected.

The following schools are among those expected to be closed:

Hindlip CE First, Kempsey Primary, Malvern Wells CE Primary, Newbridge Secondary PRU, Simon de Montfort Middle, St Clement’s CE Primary, St George’s CE Primary, Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre, The Chase, Tibberton CE First.

Schools predicting partial closure include:

Birchen Coppice Primary, Burlish Park Primary, Chawson Community First, Clifton-upon-Teme Primary, Droitwich Spa High School and Sixth Form Centre, Evesham High, Fort Royal Community Primary, Great Malvern Primary, Northleigh CE Primary, Nunnery Wood High, Nunnery Wood Primary, Prince Henry’s High, St Peter’s CE First, Tenbury High and Westacre Middle.

For more information visit worcestershire.gov.uk or follow the twitter account @worcscc which will tweet information as it becomes available.