PARENTS are bracing themselves for disruption as schools across south Essex shut down as public sector workers strike.
The mass walkout – predicted to be the biggest since the 1926 general strike – will also hit councils and emergency services.
Although some parents have been given warning of school closures, others say they have again been left in the dark over arrangements.
Schools do not have a legal duty to notify their local authority, but do have to tell parents if they are closing.
About 25 Southend schools have so far alerted Southend Council they are closing. Others are expected to follow.
About 60 schools in the Essex County Council area have so far announced closure plans.
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."
