Parents face taking time off work or paying for childcare when a handful of Sittingbourne schools closed today (Thursday) in a row over pensions.

Staff at The Westlands School agreed to walk out to show their anger at the government’s proposed changes to pensions.

The proposals would raise teachers’ contributions by 50 per cent and could result in some of them having to work until they are 68 with lower pension payments when they reach that age.

Borden Grammar School is closed to pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10 while Sittingbourne Community College and Highsted Grammar School are open as normal.

Fulston Manor School, in Brenchley Road, already had a teacher training day planned.

Four primary schools are also expected to close. They are Bapchild and Tonge, The Oaks Community Infant School, St Peter’s and South Avenue Junior School. Partial closures were also due at Milton Court Primary School and Minterne Juniors.

Parents were notified of closures by letter or via messages on school websites.

Harold Vafaes, head teacher of Borden Grammar School, in Avenue of Remembrance, wrote: "The decision to close the school or send pupils home is never taken lightly but in this instance, where staff have elected to take lawful industrial action, I will have no choice but to take appropriate steps to ensure health, safety and well being of all pupils."

Westlands head teacher Jon Whitcombe (pictured) wrote: "This dispute is not with the school itself but with central government. We all hope for a speedy resolution to this action in order that uninterrupted teaching can resume."

The strike was instigated after members of the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers voted in favour of it.

What do you think about teachers striking? Email us at sittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk