Schools across Wiltshire will be partly closed next week, as teachers in the county strike over proposed Government changes.

The National Union of Teachers is holding a day-long walkout on Wednesday, when union members will protest against what they believe is excessive bureaucracy, performance-related pay and changes to their pension arrangements.

In Bradford on Avon, St Laurence School will be closed to Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Fergus Stewart said: “We have considered the situation very carefully, bearing in mind the impact of strike action on timetabled classes and the welfare of pupils, and have decided that we will be able to remain partially open on that day.

“We realise that this will be very inconvenient for many families and for that we apologise.”

Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils at Trowbridge’s John of Gaunt School have also been asked to stay at home.Headteacher Andy Packer said: “We will be partially open, with Years 12 and 13 in as normal and Year 11s doing mock GCSE exams. At the moment the plan is also to bring Year 7s in and we’ll update parents if there are any changes.”

The Corsham School will be closed to all pupils, although the sixth form will remain open.

The Clarendon Academy on Frome Road, Trowbridge, will not be affected by the strike, and will be open as normal to all pupils, as will Matravers School in Westbury and Stonar School in Atworth.

St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge, Kingdown School, in Warminster and Melksham Oak Community School were all unable to say whether they would be open as the Times went to press this week.