PRESTWICH Arts College is mostly closed today and tomorrow due to strike action over the threat of staff redundancies.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) balloted members who work at the Heys Road school and they voted in favour of industrial action.

It means the school is mostly closed today and tomorrow, though school leaders say the school was due to close tomorrow anyway because the school is used as a polling station for the local elections, and so it is a scheduled training day.

Further action is planned for next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and the school will be mostly closed again on those days if a resolution cannot be reached before then.

Year 11 pupils preparing for their GCSE exams have been told to come to school as normal today and then next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The same applies to any Year 10 pupils who are due to take exams.

The union claims it opposes staffing reductions because the school is taking on four new teachers in September, but the school claims those appointments were made before its budget was cut.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Chris Hornby said: “Along with other Bury schools and indeed many schools nationally, Prestwich Arts College has been seriously affected by cuts within our budget, which may result in staffing reductions.

“The NUT has balloted their members in the school, asking whether they are prepared to take part in sustained and discontinuous strike action in protest against compulsory redundancies at the school.

"The result of the ballot was on April 14.

“A significant number of our teachers are members of the NUT and the school will be affected by this industrial action.

"The NUT remains willing to reach a negotiated settlement to the current dispute, as indeed is the school.

“We have undertaken a risk assessment for the school and it is proposed to close the school on each of (these) days.

"All students should be in school on all other days. I do want to support our Year 11 at this vital time.

"All Year 11 students should therefore report as normal on May 4, 10, 11 and 12.

“The school will offer facilities for self-revision and some taught classes from available staff.

"A register will be taken and any absence will be challenged.

"In addition, Year 10 students with exams on May 11 and May 12 should just attend school to take any examinations listed on those days.

“Equally, where parents are unable to make care arrangements, please make contact with me and we may be able to offer help.”