THOUSANDS of children are staying home today as teachers and heads take to picket lines, forcing schools to close their doors.

Early Government figures suggested that almost three in four schools have been affected by the walkout, although that number could rise.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it believed that more than half of England's 21,700 state schools (58 per cent) are closed, with a further 13 per cent partially shut.

Around 13 per cent are open, the DfE said, while the rest are unknown.

The mass walkout – predicted to be the biggest since the 1926 general strike – is also hitting councils and emergency services.

Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys defended the action: He said: “The scale of the Government’s proposed changes to the teachers pension scheme is extraordinary – teachers in my school will together lose more than £5million in lifetime income.

“Headteachers must speak out to protect their staff from being penalised and to ensure teaching remains an attractive option to new graduates."

Meanwhile, Westcliff High School for Boys, is remaining open, in addition to a handful of other schools in Southend.

It has never closed on a school day in its 90-year history, despite snow and similar staff walkouts.

Headteacher Andrew Baker said he was proud of the record, which proves the school’s commitment to education.

He added: “We have a loyal and committed staff and I’m pleased a substantial majority of teachers in this school are choosing to work in the normal manner.”

Only nine members of staff out of the 66 who work at the school will strike as part of the national row over public sector pensions. Mr Baker said he understood their reasons.

He added: “My own view is that the Government has made an appropriate offer to teachers.”

Westcliff High School for Girls has joined many other secondary schools in the region and closed completely.

Others are hoping for as little disruption as possible by only closing partially, such as Shoeburyness High School on Caulfield Road and St Thomas More High School, Westcliff, which will remain open for sixth formers.

Kingswood Infant School in Clay Hill Road, Basildon, will remain open, but the nursery has been forced to close.

With six classes in the school and four teachers out on strike, it had to draft in outside help to ensure it could still educate the youngsters. Headteacher Debbie Loveless said: “We are very pleased we have been able to keep the school open and we hope parents are as well.

“We have teaching assistants who are qualified to cover lessons helping out and we have some of our part-time teachers, who don’t normally work, coming in to help out.”