Some schools in Dorset will close or partially close again today and tomorrow as teachers stage another walkout.

It comes as Dorset members of the National Education Union (NEU) travel to London today to join a huge rally - the day the spring budget is delivered.

They will be back on the picket lines at schools tomorrow morning.

Speaking ahead of the strikes NEU President Mark Chutter said: "It is going to be a sense of solidarity because it is (the Government’s) budget day on Wednesday – hence why we are striking.

“It is going to be a great demonstration and our message to the Government is: ‘enough is enough’ – we must be treated with respect.

“This is not about teachers being greedy – it is about our pay not rising with inflation. We need to get a serious pay offer on the table for this to be resolved.”

It is understood that around 25 schools across Dorset are set to be affected by closure or part closure during the strike action. 

One of those schools which has said it will be affected is Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth.

In a letter to parents, the school said: "The following groups of pupils will be prioritised for attendance on these dates should there be disruption: 

  • Vulnerable children in all year groups – school will be open for these pupils
  • The children of critical workers 
  • Year groups in the following order: Year 11, 7, 8, 10 and 9."

Another school in the area that will be running on a limited attendance for the days will be Dorchester Middle School. 

Children of parents who are key workers, those who require free school meals, year 5 students (Wednesday) and year 6 students (Thursday) are among the only pupils who will be able to attend school during the strikes.

Previous strike action has been taken at a local level with teachers previously holding a rally in Dorchester on Thursday, March 2 as well as creating picket lines outside of schools as they demand the Government for an inflation-matching pay rise.

See www.bridportnews.co.uk for the latest on the strikes and school closures