STRIKING teachers have forced closures and disruptions at schools in Bridport and Beaminster.

The Sir John Colfox School, Bridport Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School in Bridport and Mountjoy special school will be closing for the day, tomorrow, June 30.

Beaminster School has some limited closures with some years able to attend but others have been told to stay away.

The closures come after teachers and lecturers voted to walk out in protest over cuts and changes to their pensions.

Beaminster School will be closed for students in Years 9 and 10 but the college courses for Year 10 students will still run as usual.

The school will be open for students in Years 7, 8 and 12.

Donna Beddows, 27, who is the school representative for the National Union of Teachers (NUT) at Bridport Primary School, said: “The NUT and other unions have been communicating with the Government, and would rather settle this through negotiations.

“But the Government hasn’t backed down on any of its proposals.

“Therefore, we have no choice but to strike to stand up for what we believe.

“Going on strike isn’t something we take lightly, and we wouldn’t be doing so if we didn’t believe in the cause.”

Miss Beddows, 27, added: “Pensions are deferred pay, so in theory we are being asked to take a pay cut.

“The Government want us to pay more, work longer and get less, how is that fair?”

The NUT and Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) both voted in favour of strikes on June 30.

Colfox headteacher Kay Taylor said that the decision to close for the day was taken after a risk assessment.

Beaminster headteacher Mike Best said that he based his decisions on health and safety with the number of staff in school as well as the impact on the quality of lessons on offer for years nine and ten.

He said: “The school is affected by the industrial action being taken by two teaching organisations (NUT and ATL) on Thursday, June 30. The action will involve a significant number of teaching staff.

“I have reluctantly taken the decision that it will be necessary to close the school to students in year 9 and year 10.”

He added: “Lessons for years seven and eight, together with planned activities, linked to the Beaminster Festival, will continue as usual.”

“Students in year 12 will be able to use study facilities.”