MORE than a dozen schools in Hampshire will be severely disrupted if a planned strike by teachers goes ahead next week.

Six head teachers have notified local education authorities that should the industrial action happen next Wednesday their schools will shut.

A further eight schools have announced that they intend to remain open, though some classes will be affected.

Seven head teachers in Southampton have said that their schools will remain fully open. What will happen with the remainder is unknown.

Unlike last October, when members of both main teaching unions staged a joint day of action, next week will see just NUT members walk out after members of the NASUWT decided against the action.

As a result the impact is not expected to be as severe as last year when more than 100 schools in Hampshire and Southampton were closed.

The dispute is in response to what the NUT says is the refusal by education secretary Michael Gove to discuss concerns over workload, pensions and pay.

Southampton NUT secretary Pete Sopowski said he was not hopeful that the strike would be called off.

He told the Daily Echo: “If teachers don’t stand up for themselves then no one else will.”

Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire’s education boss, said: “As always, the County Council’s primary concern is for the education and welfare of children, and head teachers have been asked to seek to ascertain ahead of the day of action, whether any staff will be striking and the likely impact on the school – including whether this means that they will need to close or partially close their schools.

“This is to enable parents and carers to be advised, if possible, so that they can make alternative arrangements if necessary.”

Councillor Dan Jeffery, Southampton’s education chief, said: “We are advising headteachers and governors on how to manage any issues that may arise from this action but schools will have to make the final call on whether they have enough staff to enable them to safely open on the day.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “Parents will struggle to understand why the NUT is pressing ahead with strikes over the Government's measures to let heads pay good teachers more.

“They called for talks to avoid industrial action, we agreed to their request, and talks have been taking place weekly.”

Schools that have announced closures in Southampton:

  • Bassett Green Primary
  • Bevois Town Primary
  • Bitterne Park Primary - may close
  • Fairisle Infant and Nursery - Three Year R classes closed
  • Freemantle Primary
  • Mansel Park Primary - Closed to all bar Year 6
  • Mason Moor - Closed apart from Willow and Birch, Beech and Holly
  • Moorlands Primary
  • Newlands Primary - Butterflies (YR) and Pandas (Y3) closed.
  • Ludlow Junior
  • Redbridge Primary -  4 classes affected
  • Shirley Warren Learning Campus Primary and Nursery - 4 classes closed
  • St Monica Junior
  • Regents Park - closed to all bar Year 11
  • Woodlands - closed to all bar year 11
  • Great Oaks
  • Vermont

Schools that have announced closures in Hampshire

  • Brockhurst Infant School, Gosport - School closed for Year R children only.
  • Buriton Primary School
  • Clanfield Junior School - Closed apart from classes 3CH 4KB 5RB 5SA
  • Fareham Academy - Closed to all pupils bar Year 11
  • Henry Tyndale School, Farnborough - Class 4, 8, 10, 6th Form closed.
  • Herne Junior School, Petersfield
  • Netley Marsh Church Of England Infant School - Year R and Year 2 closed.
  • Red Barn Community Primary School, Fareham - Closed apart from pre-school
  • St Faith's C E Primary School -  Closed for children in Year R, Year 1 and Year 3.
  • St Peter's Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School, Winchester - Classes DF,GK,MOC,MW closed