MORE than 600 pupils at a Derby secondary school will miss a day's learning tomorrow - the first of six proposed strike days over pay.
Two unions have united to take action at Merrill Academy, which is run by Derby College, over a performance pay-related issue.
The Alvaston school will only be open to year 11 pupils so that they can continue their GCSE studies, while all other year groups will take the day off.
Sue Arguile, branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "The academy has denied many teachers the pay rise to which they should have been entitled.
"Teachers' 'performance' has been judged against targets which are unachievable and teachers have then been punished for failing to meet them.
The other union involved is the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.
The unions have said that if Derby College does not agree to talk to the unions about a positive way forward "this will be followed by two days of strike action the following week and three days the week after than with possible escalation thereafter".
Academy principal Andrew Scott said: "Derby College and the academy are clear that we have followed the policies set out at the beginning of last academic year regarding performance appraisal, pay awards and pay progression for teaching staff which were drawn up in consultation with the unions concerned.
"We continue to meet with the unions concerned and I will do everything I can to keep the academy open on these days for as many of our students as possible."
Heather Simcox, academy chair of governors, said: "Ofsted ratified our position that we rightly use powers to withhold pay rises where they are not merited.
"We gather there are now claims that targets set were unachievable.
"However a significant number of teachers have achieved these targets and have therefore been recognised with pay progression."
Parents have been informed by letter and on the school's website about the situation.
