Some schools in Dorset will be closed or partially closed starting tomorrow as teachers hold another strike.

The National Education Union's (NEU) strikes will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, July 5 and on Friday, July 7 and will affect state and sixth-form colleges across England.

These strikes are a continuation of the industrial action taken by the NEU since February over pay. They are the seventh and eighth strike days respectively on this issue, the most recent of which was on Tuesday, May 2.

Speaking ahead of the strikes, president of the Dorset NEU Mark Chutter, said: "The NEU feel that teachers are still not being given the right pay and actually there is a real sense of solidarity among the NEU and other public sector workers.

"We are calling for action from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to put a deal on the table."

Among the schools in Weymouth to be affected are Wey Valley Academy and All Saints Academy, which will both be partially closed each day.

In a letter to parents, Wey Valley Academy said: "Students in year 10 and year 9 will be able to come into school on Wednesday, July 5.

"Students in year 9 and year 7 will be able to come into school on Friday, July 7."

Meanwhile, The Blandford School will be completely closed.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Sally Wilson said: "I wanted to give you advanced notice that if there are no changes to the decision by the NEU to strike then The Blandford School will be closed to students in all years both days."

Hannah Packham, South West Regional Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “It is with great reluctance that our members are taking further strike action, but teachers have been left with no choice.

“In stark contrast to Wales and Scotland, where settlements were reached months ago, the Government of England is intent on dragging its heels."

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.