MORE than 60 schools have already announced that they will be closed to all or some students as a result of tomorrow's industrial action.

The National Union of Teachers has announced it will be taking part in the action which means schools across Hampshire could be hit by closures by striking teachers.

So far 66 schools have confirmed to the Daily Echo that they will be closed completely or partially due to lack of staff.

Dozens more schools have said they were not in a position to confirm whether they will be closing as teachers are not bound to inform head teachers of their intention to strike ahead of any planned industrial action.

Speaking ahead of the strike, Pete Sopowski, NUT representative for Southampton, said he expected a good show of support for the strike by key unions.

He said: “We are going out with them [other public sector workers] because joint action is better than individual action.

“The Government should be blamed because it will not negotiate with the teachers.

“We hope parents and grandparents will understand our struggle. Teachers can't afford to go on strike but feel they have to for their own futures.”

The NUT has already taken part in a number of strike days this year in protest over pay, pensions and workload.

They have accused the government of failing to negotiate properly over the changes, a claim Whitehall officials have denied.

The Department for Education has said that there is no justification for further strikes as officials have been actively engaged in talks which were ongoing.