Several south Essex schools look set to close next week when teachers walk out in strikes over pay.

The strike is being taken by teachers across the country, with thousands set to walk out the classroom on February 1, March 1, 15 and 16.

Two Southend secondary schools have confirmed plans for a shutdown for most students.

Heads at Shoebury High School and Southchurch High School have written to parents urging them to plan ahead for industrial action about pay and teachers’ recruitment and retention.

Southchurch High School will only open to Year 10 and Year 11 pupils preparing for exams, as well as vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

Shoebury High School will only open to 93 Year 11 pupils sitting their BTEC Digital Information Technology exam and Year 13 pupils.

Essex County Council has warned parents that headteachers may not be able to tell them of schools’ arrangements until the morning of each strike day.

Therefore, a number of south Essex secondary schools have also warned they are likely to close during teachers’ strikes.

Westcliff High School for Girls and The Appleton School in South Benfleet both sent out letters to parents at the start of this week warning they may be forced to close due to staff shortages.

Sweyne Park School headteacher Katharine Dines has also told parents more than half of its teaching staff are eligible to take industrial action.

As such, a partial closure of the Rayleigh secondary school is also likely.