MORE than 1,300 schoolchildren were expected to stay at home today as a one-day strike either closed or crippled schools in Petersfield and left others managing to stay open with a skeleton staff.

The Petersfield School, on Cranford Road, was expected to be seriously affected by the strike but remain partially open to just over a quarter of its youngest pupils.

Herne Junior school was due to close to all pupils.

Teachers are fighting changes to their pay and pensions and are also in dispute with the Government over increased work loads and plans to bring in performance-related pay.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.