SCHOOLS were thrown into chaos yesterday as the teachers’ strike hit.

Confusion reigned as some schools closed completely, some were disrupted and others remained open as usual.

Hundreds of schoolchildren had a day off or partial day off as members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) took industrial action over a proposed 2.5 per cent pay rise.

It is the first major teachers’ strike England has seen in two decades.

Eight schools in Hyndburn were completely closed while others were forced to cancel classes to deal with the strike.

One of those was Moorhead Sports College, Accrington, where a number of teachers went on strike.

Headteacher Andrew Bateman said: "A few of our classes will be affected and we have sent letters to the parents of pupils in those classes to inform them of our action plan. Some of the pupils will be coming in at the end of the first lesson and others will be leaving before the end of school so we can rotate staff."

The Reception and Years 2, 3 and 6 classes at Moor End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle were closed but the rest of the school was open.

Christina Wilkinson, headteacher, said: "Only two of the teachers at the school are striking but myself and other staff are filling in so we are managing to cover it."

Headteacher Janice Lewer of Hippings Methodist, Oswaldtwistle, where no teachers were on strike, said: "It’s been a difficult decision for them because they feel they are losing out with the deal that has been offered. But it’s about the job and they are committed to the children they teach."

Joan Smith, headteacher of St Peter’s CE Primary School, Accrington, said: "School staff fully support the NUT members in their strike action and are opening the school using the protocol for industrial action agreed by all the major unions."

NUT members at Rishton Methodist School said: "Our feelings are that if you are a member of the union, then you should support their action."

A spokesman for Accrington and Rossendale College said only a few lecturers were striking but no classes would be cancelled.

How schools were affected ...

Accrington
Secondary: Mount Carmel RC Science College (closed); Moorhead Sports College (disrupted); The Hollins Technology School (disrupted); St Christopher’s CE High School (open).
Primary: Hyndburn Park (closed); St John with St Augustine’s CE (closed); Peel Park (open); Woodnook (open); Benjamin Hargreaves’ CE (open); Heathland (open); St Anne’s and St Joseph’s RC (open); St Oswald’s RC (open); Spring Hill (open); Green Haworth (open); and St Peter’s CE (open).

Clayton-le-Moors
Primary: Mount Pleasant (closed); All Saints CE (open); and St Mary’s RC (open).

Altham
Primary: St James CE (open).

Great Harwood
Primary: St Bartholomew’s CE (closed); Great Harwood (disrupted); St Wulstan’s (disrupted) and St John’s CE (open).
Special: North Cliffe (open).

Oswaldtwistle
Secondary: Rhyddings Business and Enterprise (disrupted).
Primary: Belthorn Foundation (closed); Moor End (disrupted); St Andrew’s (open); Hippings Methodist (open); St Mary’s RC (open); West End (open); and St Oswald’s CE (open).
Special: Broadfield Specialist (closed); White Ash (open).

Church
Primary: Sacred Heart (partially open); and St Nicholas CE (open).

Baxenden
Primary: St John’s (open).

Huncoat
Primary: Huncoat (open).

Rishton:
Secondary: Norden High School and Sports College (open).
Primary: Rishton Methodist (closed); St Charles’ RC (disrupted); St Peter and St Paul’s CE (disrupted).