THE West Somerset College and Minehead Middle School have confirmed they will both be closed next Thursday (October 17) when members of the teaching unions NUT and NASUWT take strike action.

Teaching staff will walk out in protest about pensions, workloads and conditions of service.

Both the college and middle school said they would be unable to open their doors for safety reasons as the ratio of staff to pupils would not be sufficient.

However, the Acorns Nursery, the hair and beauty salons and the Combe Restaurant at the college would all still be open for business as usual.

In a letter to parents, college principal Gaynor Coomber said: "We have risk assessed the effect of the numbers taking part in the action and feel that we have no other option but to close the college on the day in question.

"The decision to close the college is never taken lightly, but in this instance, where staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, we have no choice but to take appropriate steps to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all our students."

She said a planned Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award practice expedition would still go ahead as planned, although year 11 students who were taking part would have to make their own way to the college for 12.30pm as no transport would be available.

A spokesman for the middle school stressed there was nothing school staff could do on a local level to prevent a national strike.

In a note to parents, the school said: "The action is not against the school but is linked to a trade dispute with the Government over changes to pensions, workload and conditions of service.

"Having assessed the impact of the absence of several staff, we have decided we cannot safely open the school so will be closed to children next Thursday.

"The school has no control over what is a national dispute."

A spokesman for the local education authority, Somerset County Council, was unable to say how many local schools would be affected by the strike action and advised parents to either check directly with schools or via the council's website http://www.somerset.gov.uk">www.somerset.gov.uk nearer the time.

The Free Press has been told Danesfield Middle School in Williton will definitely remain open during the strike.

"Somerset County Council will provide advice to schools within the authority so that they can plan for industrial action by NASUWT and NUT members and make every effort to stay open where possible.

"Decisions on remaining open or closing will be taken by head teachers in consultation with their governing bodies based on their own individual circumstances," the spokesman said.