School closures confirmed for this Wednesday

The majority of schools in Highgate will be closed this Wednesday as a result of national strike action by a large number of the UK's teaching and other unions. A mass public-sector walkout, set to be the largest since the 1970s, will take place on Wednesday with a march through central London from noon.

Susan Higgins, headteacher at Parliament Hill, has confirmed that the school will be closed as a result of industrial action. "The majority of members of staff at Parliament Hill school are members of NUT, NAHT, ATL, NASUWT, UNISON, GMB and UNITE, who have all voted to take strike action to protest at the government's plans to reform the Teachers' Pension Scheme," the school told parents. Y8 Parents' Evening has been moved to Thursday 1 December.

Patrick Cozier, Headteacher at Highgate Wood School, has also confirmed closure on Wednesday, saying, "A large number of staff who are members of recognised unions will be

striking on Wednesday 30th November as part of their campaign against

the Government's proposed changes to public sector pension schemes." Mock exams for students in Y10 and Y11 will, however, go ahead as planned; students will be supervised and will only remain in school for the duration of the examinations.

A large number of union members are expected to join the central London march and rally, meaning school staff will not be available to supervise children in schools; parents will need to make alternative arrangements for Wednesday.

Courts, libraries, street cleaning and leisure centres could also be affected by the mass action, which is set to involve up to two million public sector workers. Unions are unhappy at proposed changes to pension plans, and are prepared to continue industrial action after tomorrow if no settlement is reached.