A TEACHERS’ union has refused to rule out further strikes after its members walked out over plans to replace their school with a privately- sponsored academy.

About 600 children were told to stay at home after 40 members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) staged a one-day strike at Belmont School, in Durham City, yesterday.

They want Durham County Council to drop plans to close Belmont and Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre, and replace them with an academy, cosponsored by the authority and the Durham Excellence in Education Partnership, led by Durham University.

Simon Kennedy, NASUWT regional organiser, said he hoped teachers’ concerns would be heard, but added: “Members are committed and prepared to continue this dispute as long as required.”

The council described the strike as disappointing.

Teachers chanted and waved placards outside the school from early yesterday, before visiting feeder primary schools to promote their cause during the afternoon.

The action led to most classes at the 750-pupil secondary school being cancelled, although teachers returned to work for pupils preparing to sit their GCSEs this summer.

Mr Kennedy said the strike had received “phenomenal”

support from parents, residents and pupils.

The council also wants to build an academy in Consett and another in Stanley, with a further four schools being closed.

Supporters of the scheme say they will create better quality schools and generate £10m of extra investment.

MPs Roberta Blackman- Woods, Kevan Jones and Hilary Armstrong all support the project.

Opponents say the schools set for closure are improving and that turning them into academies will remove them from local control.

Mr Kennedy said: “This is the privatisation of state education.”

David Williams, Durham County Council’s corporate director for children and young people’s services, said it was disappointing that the strike went ahead before planned talks between the council and the union.

He said the authority wanted to work with staff and their representatives to find a way forward that was in the best interests of students.

“Taking industrial action will not help resolve the concerns of staff, but it may have a detrimental impact on children and young people and that is a matter for deep regret,”

he said.

The council could take decisions on where the academies should be built in August, with new schools opening as early as September 2012.

Ms Blackman-Woods said it was a “real pity” teachers had decided to oppose the academies scheme and the NASUWT was “acting on ideological grounds”.

She urged the council to move ahead with the plans, saying a survey she conducted found much of the opposition came from the area immediately around Belmont School and concerned its location.

“I will visit the school in the very near future to talk to governors and parents, and hopefully teachers about the plans for the new school. I think a new school would be wonderful for education in the area.”