BICESTER schoolchildren forced to stay at home today because of a planned teachers’ strike were warned they could be treated as truants if found in the town centre.

More than 100 schools were expected to be affected by industrial action over pension changes.

But parents reacted angrily after a letter from Bicester Community College said students found in the town would be rounded up by community police officers.

About 156 students from the college are set to have a day off because of the strike action.

In his letter, college principal Jason Clarke said students should not go into the town unsupervised for safety reasons.

One mum of two said: “I could not believe it when we got the letter home.

“How can it be truancy if they are not allowed into school?

“I have got a 15-year-old daughter and I have no problem with her going into town. She is sensible and I am not going to stop her if she has got the day off.”

The letter read: “This will not count as an absence and students will be expected to remain at a safe location during the day.

“They should not be unsupervised around the town and local community police will treat such situations as truancy.”

The mum added: “I guess if there is trouble in Bicester, it will reflect badly on the school.

“They do not want the children in school, but they are actually saying if they go shopping with friends, they will be treated as truants.

“It is the wording that has got me annoyed. What if your child is 16 and you cannot take the day off work to look after them?”

Parents who cannot find alternative arrangements have been advised to contact the school.

A college spokesman said: “Our focus has been to minimise the impact on the community while ensuring the safety of our students.

“The students provided with this letter were all spoken to by the principal and told they should not be out and about unsupervised for their own safety, in particular in large groups, which would be entirely inappropriate.”

Mr Clarke said: “Our priorities are for the safety and welfare of our student community and we are confident we have managed this challenging situation effectively.”

Thames Valley Police said they had not been informed community police officers may be called upon.

Force spokesman Chris Kearney said: “We would, of course, advise that children stay safe and out of trouble.”