MORE than 100 schools in Suffolk have been affected today as teachers stage their first strike in 21 years.At least 54 schools across the county have closed completely to students, with a further 63 not open to certain year groups.

MORE than 100 schools in Suffolk have been affected today as teachers stage their first strike in 21 years.

At least 54 schools across the county have closed completely to students, with a further 63 not open to certain year groups.

Around the Lowestoft area Elm Tree Middle, Foxborough Middle, Pakefield Middle, Warren School and Roman Hill Middle School have all closed completely, while Fen Park, Oulton Broad Primary, Poplars CP, Roman Hill Primary, Whitton Green Benjamin Britten High School, Denes High School and Kirkley Community High School are all experiencing some closures.

The action is taking place because the National Union of Teacher's wants the government's 2.45pc pay offer for teachers increased to at least above the inflation, which currently stands at 2.5pc.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said last night a total of 117 schools had informed them they would either be closing or be disrupted over the action. This includes 54 primary schools, 54 secondary schools, five specialist schools and four pupil referral units.

The union's Suffolk county secretary Martin Goold said the strike was necessary to force the government to think about how it treats teachers. He added disrupting pupils for a day would not be disastrous but not attracting the right people into the profession would.

Last night it was estimated that at least one in three schools in England and Wales would shut or partially close over the pay row.

For full details of the school closures in Suffolk visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/SchoolClosuresNUT.htm