Three primary and secondary schools in the Kingston borough will be closed today (Wednesday) in response to strike action with over 100,000 teachers expected to walk out across the UK.

The remaining schools in Kingston will operate at full or partial capacity while a number will offer some form of remote learning, as seen during Covid-19 lockdowns.

One teachers' union has advised members not to alert headteachers as to whether they would be joining the strike in order to maximise the disruption.

As result, many parents will have to take time off work in order to carry out caring duties.

The schools have contacted parents directly to set out which schools will close and which classes and year groups will required to stay at home.

Kingston Borough Council has decided not to name the schools which will close, however it confirmed to Nub News that a total of six schools across Primary and Secondary level will be shut across Wednesday, 1 February.

Kingston Primary Schools

• 2 schools are fully open 
• 3 schools are closed 
• The remainder of the schools are partially open
• The majority of schools are providing support to vulnerable children and children with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP)

Kingston Secondary Schools

• 1 school is fully open 
• 3 schools are closed 
• 8 schools are partially open
• 5 schools are offering remote learning

The majority of schools are providing support to vulnerable children and children with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).

A spokesperson said: "All schools have been in communication with their parents and caregivers to explain the arrangements that are being made to ensure the safety of all the children as far as possible during the periods of the strike.

"Schools have given information to parents on how to access warm hubs, and arrangements made for those eligible for free school meals to be supported with a packed lunch or food vouchers."

National Education Union members are striking in pursuit of an above-inflation pay rise, funded by the government rather than out of existing school budgets. The value of teachers' salaries has fallen over the past decade, resulting in a recruitment and retention crisis in schools.

The government announced last summer that most teachers would receive a pay rise of about 5%, with starting salaries up by 8.9%, but with inflation in double digits, NEU members have rejected the offer and voted for strike action.

The joint general secretary of the NEU said it is 'very appropriate' that teachers are not telling headteachers about plans for the strike.

Kevin Courtney told Sky News: "The Government is letting our children down.

"There is disruption every day in our schools because the Government isn't investing in our schools or the people who work in them. The point about tomorrow is that it is a strike. We want our strike to be effective in order to concentrate the Government's mind.

"It is not the same as a natural phenomenon like Covid where we would be doing everything we could to make sure schools were running as well as possible."

The next strike action in London will take place on 2 March followed by two days across the country involving all NEU members in England and Wales on 15 and 16 March.