TEACHERS went on strike today over plans to turn their school an academy.

Placards, banners and high-visibility jackets greeted parents who took their children to Bowland High School, Grindleton, as NASUWT members went on strike.

The union balloted its members over the school’s plans to transform into an academy.

A group of 17 workers – around half of the teaching staff – protested outside the school from 8am over fears that an academy conversion could lead to a change in their pay and conditions.

The headteacher said the school was open to year 10 and 11 students, with younger pupils being given the day off.

The Department for Education invited all outstanding-rated schools to apply to become one of its new breed of academies.

If Bowland’s application is given the green light, the school would be in charge of its own finances, be given more freedom over the curriculum and would break away from local authority control.

Mac Harrison, county union secretary for the NASUWT, said there was concern over the fact the school would get greater control over pay and conditions.

He said staff also objected to money being taken away from other schools to fund academies.

He also said a chunk of the wider education budget is already being taken by the Government to fund the scheme.

Mr Harrison added: “We hope the governors will reconsider their decision and listen to the views of staff.

“I know members have not done this lightly.

“They are not looking to damage children’s education but they do have to think about their own future.”

Headteacher Stephen Cox said they had listened to the concerns of staff, but ‘at this point becoming an academy is in the best interests of our children’.

He said: “There are all sorts of reasons for that.

"The big one is that the school will get additional funding and we have the power to use it in the most effective way for the school.

“And would allow us to maintain our current staffing levels.”

A strike was also held at Garstang High School.

NASUWT members at St Christopher’s CofE High School, in Accrington, are due to be demonstrating on Thuesday.

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School opened as an academy in January.