STRIKING teachers will bring disruption to schools across south Essex tomorrow.

FOR THE LATEST ON TODAY'S STRIKES CLICK HERE http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10708514.School_strikes__all_the_latest_from_south_Essex/

Classrooms will definitely close in all but one Southend secondary school and most primary schools as teachers walk out over pay, pensions and workload.

Some parents still faced uncertainty as Futures Community College, Southend, and most schools in Rochford district are yet to say whether they will open.

Unions have no obligation to tell schools whether members will strike but many schools informed parents of closures over the weekend after teachers came out for or against action. Some schools have posted messages on their websites explaining what is affected.

Most secondary schools have tried to keep classes running at least for pupils facing exams.

Bev Williams, headteacher of Belfairs Academy, Leigh, which will close to pupils in years 7 to 10, said: “This action is not against the academy itself but is part of national industrial action organised by these trade unions about changes to the pension schemes of their members.

“There is no requirement on unions to inform us of which members of staff will take action, and it may be that they will not know themselves as there is no obligation on members of unions to obey a strike call.

“Neither the governing body nor the principal is legally allowed to close the Academy 'in sympathy' with the strike. However, our main concern is the safety of our students.”

Almost all secondary schools in Southend and 11 of its primary schools will be at least partially closed tomorrow, the Echo can reveal. In all, classrooms will close in more than two thirds of schools in the borough that made information available.

Kerry Short, who found out her son’s school, Temple Sutton Primary School, Southend, would close tomorrow(said: “I feel for the parents who work and now have to try and find baby sitters at such short notice, telling people on the Friday is not good.”

Gill Thomas, headteacher of Castle View School, Canvey, which will close to all but Year 11 pupils, said: “Where we have to close our school, the decision is never taken lightly.

“We have to consider carefully several factors. I have to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all students.”

Castle View School, the Deanes School and the King John School, both in Thundersley, and six of the district’s primary schools will be at least partially closed tomorrow, the Echo can reveal.

In all, classrooms will close in more than two thirds(69%) of schools in the district that made information available.

But Jotmans Hall Primary School, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, and Kents Hill Junior School, all in Benfleet, and Winter Gardens Primary School, Canvey, will all be open.

Confirmed so far, Southend:

Belfairs Academy, Leigh: Partially closed

Cecil Jones College, Southend: Partially closed

Chase High School, Westcliff: Partially closed

Shoeburyness High School, Shoebury: Partially closed

St Bernard's High School and Arts College, Westcliff: Partially closed

St.Thomas More High School, Westcliff: Partially closed

The Eastwood Academy, Eastwood: Closed

Barons Court Primary School and Nursery, Westcliff: Hopes to open

Eastwood Primary School, Leigh: Closed

Friars Primary School, Shoebury: Closed

Hinguar Community Primary School, Shoebury: Closed

Milton Hall Primary School, Westcliff: Closed

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Leigh: Closed

Richmond Avenue Primary School, Shoebury: Closed

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Southend: Hopes to open

St George's Catholic Primary School, Shoebury: Hopes to open

St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Southend: Partially closed

St Helen's Catholic Primary School, Westcliff: Closed

Temple Sutton Primary School, Southend: Closed

Thorpedene Primary School, Shoebury: Closed

Chalkwell Hall Junior School, Leigh: Open

Earls Hall Junior School, Westcliff: Open

Leigh North Street Junior School, Leigh: Open

Bournes Green Infant School, Thorpe Bay: Open

Chalkwell Hall Infant School, Leigh: Partially closed

Earls Hall Infant School, Westcliff: Open

Confirmed so far: Rochford district

The King Edmund School, Rochford: Closed

The Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh: Partially closed

Down Hall Primary School, Rayleigh: Open

Edward Francis Primary School, Rayleigh: Closed

Holt Farm Infant School, Rochford: No info available

Holt Farm Junior School, Rochford: Open

Plumberow Primary School, Hockley: Partially closed

Riverside Primary School, Hullbridge: Open

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Hawkwell: Open

Confirmed so far, Southend: Basildon

The Billericay School, School Road, Billericay- closed

James Hornsby School, Leinster Road, Laindon- partially closed

Millhouse Infant School and Nursery, Tavistock Road, Laindon- partially closed

Oakfield Primary School, Scott Drive, Wickford- partially closed

Quilters Infant School, Laindon Road, Billericay- partially closed

Quilters Junior School, Laindon Road, Billericay- closed

Ghyllgrove Community Infant School, The Gore, Basildon- closed

St Anne Line Catholic Infant School, Wickhay, Basildon- closed

The Kingswood Junior School, Clay Hill Road, Basildon- closed

Wickford Junior School, Market Road, Wickford- partially closed

Confirmed so far: Castle Point

Castle View School, Canvey: Partially closed

The Deanes School, Thundersley: Partially closed

The King John School, Thundersley: Partially closed

Hadleigh Junior School: Closed

Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet: Open

Jotmans Hall Primary School, Benfleet: Open

Kents Hill Junior School, Benfleet: Open

Kingston Primary School, Benfleet: Partially closed

Thundersley Primary School: Partially closed

Westwood Academy, Hadleigh: Partially closed

William Read Primary School, Canvey: Closed

Winter Gardens Primary School, Canvey: Open