Hundreds of Shropshire teachers joined strike in row over education budget cuts

About half of the 800 members of the National Union of Teachers' Wrekin branch were thought to have taken part in yesterday's industrial action, along with at least 89 from the Shropshire branch.

About 26 schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin were partially closed or shut to pupils due to the national dispute over reduced school funding and teachers' contracts.

Four schools in Telford were fully closed to pupils and 13 schools were partially closed, including one academy not in council control.

There were no pickets set up at any school gate in the borough, but union officials handed out leaflets in Wellington town centre instead as part of the day of protest.

Wrekin NUT divisional secretary Keith Smith said: "We are not fighting for teachers' pay and conditions. This industrial action is being taken in protest against cuts in education. In effect we will see cuts in the number of teachers in schools and bigger class sizes. "We have had a lot of support for our action. It was clear from chatting to the folks we met in Wellington that many people did not understand the issues facing education at the moment. It is an ongoing campaign.

"The NUT is trying to get the Government to engage in talks about the way forward so that in the future our grandchildren can have a good education. Strike action is not taken lightly and is done as a last resort." In Telford & Wrekin, Charlton School in Wellington, Lightmoor Village Primary School, Woodlands Primary and St Mary's Catholic Primary School, both in Madeley, were closed.

In Shropshire Council's area, Grove Secondary School in Market Drayton, St George's Junior School in Shrewsbury, Hadnall CE Primary, Highley Community Primary School and Bryn Offa Primary School in Pant were fully closed. Worfield Endowed Primary School was closed to pupils only, Thomas Adams School in Wem was closed for Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils only.

In a letter to parents Grove's head Sonia Taylor said the decision to close fully was taken due to the high number of staff staying away.

"I have therefore reluctantly taken the decision to close the school to students on health and safety grounds. I am writing this letter early to allow parents/carers time to make any necessary alternative childcare arrangements."

St George's School, in Clun, Craven Arms, was among those that stayed open, while 17 other county schools were partially closed.

Both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council stressed that schools had not been obliged to inform them of their plans.