First Horsham school announces closure

Staff at St Andrew’s CofE Primary School in Nuthurst are the first in the Horsham district to warn West Sussex County Council of their decision.

A website page has been launched by West Sussex County Council designed to give residents warning and advice on service disruptions as a result of national industrial action - sure to affect thousands across the county.

The council say pages will be regularly updated and will include details of any schools closures.

Such decisions are made by headteachers in conjunction with governing bodies.

The council has been reviewing and updating business continuity plans for all its services, and has said it will do its utmost to ensure as little disruption as possible for the county’s most vulnerable residents.

Louise Goldsmith, council leader, said: “If industrial action does take place, we will ensure that as much information is made available as possible to residents through the website, and as many other channels as possible including our local media.

“We must stress again that this is a national dispute over pensions that can only be settled at national level, and we hope a resolution will be found nationally that both matches the country’s economic circumstances and also the aspirations of staff working in local government and the public sector generally.”

West Sussex County Council