'Lazy' teachers on strike at Winterbourne International Academy

The school was closed to pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 as a result of the industrial action

Staff at a school have gone on strike after claiming they were called "lazy" by its chief executive principal.

Members of two teaching unions are unhappy at what they say is a "climate of fear" at Winterbourne International Academy in South Gloucestershire.

The action meant the school, criticised by Ofsted earlier this year, was shut to year 7, 8 and 9 pupils on Thursday.

The school's chief executive said a meeting would be held with unions to try to resolve the dispute.

Those on strike have accused the school of implementing and enforcing draconian performance measures.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) have taken industrial action, and said "a punitive accountability regime has created a climate of fear and policies that are not fit for purpose".

'Breakdown in relations'

Ofsted inspectors judged the school to be in need of improvement at the last inspection in April, following a previous "good" rating given three years ago.

Before the industrial action took place the two unions said there had been "a breakdown in relations" between the large majority of teachers and the school's management.

It a joint statement they said the chief executive principal, Beverley Martin, who is also in charge of Yate International Academy, The Ridings' Federation Sixth Form, Woodlands nursery and primary schools and The Ridings commercial arm, had "placed the entire blame" on teaching staff, and had describing staff as "lazy and unprofessional".

Ms Martin said: "We have now had the first strike action and we are meeting unions again this evening."

She said a letter would be sent to parents "outlining the new position" following the meeting.

Previously the unions said a total of six days of strike action were planned throughout September.