Another seven schools to shut on Thursday

West Berkshire pupils face further disruption as more schools announce closures for teacher strikes

ANOTHER seven schools in West Berkshire have now announced that they will either shut all day on Thursday (June 30), or partially close, to allow for teacher strikes.

The extra seven schools which will shut are: Falkland Primary School in Newbury; John Rankin Junior School, Newbury; Kennet Valley Primary School, Calcot; St Finians Primary School, Cold Ash; Welford and Wickham Primary School; Woolhampton Primary School, and Birch Copse Primary School in Tilehurst.

Yesterday (Monday) Newburytoday.co.uk reported that 27 schools across the district would either close or partially close on Thursday as teachers protest against Government proposals to change the conditions of pensions and increase the retirement age.

Many of the schools have said that they are being forced to close because the number of teachers intending to strike is such that they can not comply with health and safety regulations.

The extra seven schools announcing closures since then brings the total number to 34 - exactly the same number of schools which have announced they will remain open.

Are you a parent, teacher or pupil affected by the strikes?

Contact tanya.haji@newburynews.co.uk or call (01635) 564 541