MORE than 5,000 pupils in Worcestershire will be affected by school closures when teachers walk out in a row over pay next week.

More than 30 schools in the county will be either fully or partially closed on Thursday, when county members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will be on strike.

It will be the first national stoppage in 22 years. The union, which has more than 2,000 members in Worcestershire, is calling on the Government to raise teachers' pay by at least 4.1 per cent, the rate of inflation. So far the Government has offered 2.45 per cent.

Mike Hodgson, Worcestershire divisional secretary of the NUT, said: "The last time teachers came out on strike was about 20 years ago and there was no evidence that it hampered pupils' education.

"We need to look at the bigger picture; 50 per cent of newly qualified teachers leave the profession within three years. For the long term of the education system it is essential teachers continued on page 2 are paid a proper wage."

According to a list compiled by Worcestershire County Council there will be eight schools in the county completely closed, affecting 3,300 pupils. Others will be partially closed. More schools are also expected to be added to the list next week.

In Worcester two schools will be affected by the strike; St Clement's Primary School, in Henwick Road, St John's, will be completely closed, and at Warndon Primary School in Edgeworth Close, five classes will be without a teacher.

Kate Brunt, headteacher at St Clement's, where there are 205 pupils, said all nine teachers at the school, excluding herself, were members of the NUT and would be striking.

"As soon as we knew anything we informed the parents, so they have had plenty of notice that the school will be closed, and the need to make other arrangements," she said.

"It is sad that we have to close but on health and safety grounds I cannot open with just myself and the teaching assistants. We will, however be in school that day doing some training."

Mrs Brunt said parents had been supportive and there had been no hostility.

However, parent Terry Spencer, whose 14-year-old daughter Sammy attends Droitwich Spa High School, which will be closed to students in years eight, nine and 10, said he was angered by the strike.

"They seem to overlook the fact that parents have to make arrangements, which means many having to miss work," he said. "For what the dispute is about I think it's futile."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said it was up to individual schools to decide if they have the resources to open.The council is not involved in deciding teachers' pay.

Pru Winton, chairman of Worcestershire Association of Governors, said: "There is no question in my mind that the wrong people are going to be suffering, namely the children. But I know schools are doing as much as they can to minimise disruption."

SCHOOL CLOSURES Abbey Park First & Nursery School, Pershore - complete closure Astley Primary School, Astley, Stourport - partial closure for the morning only Droitwich Spa High School - partial closure (Closed to years eight, nine and 10. Open to years 11, 12, 13) Evesham High School - partial closure (Closed to years nine and 10. Open to years 11,12 and 13) Hartlebury CE First School - partical closure (Open to reception and years five and six. Closed to others) King Charles 1 High School, Kidderminster - complete closure Pershore High School - partial closure (Closed to years eight, nine and 10. Open to years 11, 12 and 13) Powick Primary School - partial closure (Closed to years two, three, four and five) St Clement's Primary School, Worcester - complete closure Tenbury High School - partial closure (Closed to years seven and eight. Open to years nine, 10 and 11) Vale of Evesham School - partial closures Warndon Primary School, Worcester - partial closre (five classes closed) Westacre Middle School - complete closure