A STRIKE by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) over pay, pensions and conditions left thousands of schools shut or partially closed to pupils on Wednesday.

Union leaders said the national walkout was a "last resort".The Department for Education said the NUT was disrupting parents' lives and holding back children's education.

Governing bodies and head teachers of individual schools took the decision whether to shut or partially close.

In Haslemere, St Bartholomew's Primary shut and Woolmer Hill was partially closed.

Woolmer head Matthew Armstrong-Harris wrote to parents to say the school would remain open for years seven, eight and 10 pupils but shut for years nine and 11.

He said. "There will be lessons when pupils in school will be supervised by senior staff due to absence of their class teachers.

"I apologise for the inconvenience. I hope the issues over which industrial action has arisen are resolved as soon as possible and no further disruption is forthcoming."