MORE than half of Forest schools were expected to close or face disruption today as teachers across the country were due to go on strike over pensions cuts.

All the Dean's six secondary schools and around 20 of the 41 primary schools had already told some or all of their pupils to stay at home. About a dozen primary schools were expected to open as normal.

Union leaders said they have no other option but to go ahead with the planned day of action which will see 5,000 schools and many government departments disrupted nationally.

Teachers believe they have the backing of many families but some working parents have accused schools of leaving them in the lurch and others are angry that children will be missing lessons.

Mum-of-four Stephanie Carter, from Cinderford, has children in Forest View Primary and Dene Magna schools.

She said: "I can understand why they are doing it but I still think it is wrong.

"My son will miss some of his induction week at Dean Magna and I still don't know about my youngest and playgroup."

Around half Forest teachers are believed to be members of the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers but they have no legal obligation to tell schools if they will be joining the walk-out.

Some headteachers are believed to have taken the decision to close after being warned they will be responsible if anything goes wrong if they try to carry on as normal with fewer staff and CRB-checked parents.

Forest National Union of Teachers leader John Pemberthy, secretary of Gloucestershire's NUT said there was real anger about the Government proposals which will see teachers paying in more and working until they are 68.

But he said unions were not encouraging school gate pickets and many striking Forest teachers will be joining a rally in Gloucester Park.

"We are not unsympathetic to parents but they have to put things into context and in the long run it will be better for children if good teachers are recruited and retained," he said.

"Teaching is one of the most stressful and demanding jobs you can have. If teachers are facing working in the classroom until their mid-60s many will die in service, fall ill or be sacked because they are not physically able.

"This is about what is right for the teaching profession but what is good for teaching is bound to be good for children."

Headteacher Paul Woodward of St White's Primary in Cinderford is the representative of the National Association of Headteachers. He said: "As a head I support the strike action because if we want to attract high calibre graduates into the profession, which is what Education Secretary Michael Gove wants, we have to provide the right remuneration. I know it will inconvenience some parents but something needs to be done to make the Government sit up and take notice."

The Forest campus of Gloucestershire College will be staying open but members of the UCU union are expected to join the strike.