A SCHOOL is shut to nearly all pupils today as teachers strike.

Peacehaven Community School is closed to all children in Years 7 to 10.

It is opening from 9am until 3pm for those in year 11.

Lessons will not be running to their usual timetable but the school said it was providing areas for supervised study.

Headmistress Rachel Joseph said in a letter to parents and carers: “The National Education Union (NEU) has called for a day of strike action in relation to the following reason which has been sourced directly from the ballot paper: ‘This is in relation to a trade dispute enforced change of employer.’

“In effect this refers to the NEU campaigning against the school becoming an academy with Swale Academies Trust.

“The Interim Executive Board is disappointed at the action that the NEU has chosen to take given the negative impact that this will have on the education of the pupils in the school and on you all as parents or carers.”

A planned Year 7 parents’ evening will not go ahead due to the strike and will be rescheduled for later in the term.

Ms Joseph said: “I do recognise the impact this has on parents, guardians and the pupils, however, in reaching this decision, myself and the chairman of the Interim Executive Board have fully considered the health and safety of the pupils which is our highest priority.”

Places in the school available for private study today are the IT rooms, open from 9am to noon for independent coursework completion in PE, food and nutrition and IT.

The school said it expected all children who have outstanding coursework to complete in these subjects to attend these sessions.

The library will also be open from 9am until 3pm for quiet, independent work and revision, supervised by staff.

The school said students attending would need to sign in at reception on entry to school and sign out when they leave.

The school will be open again as usual tomorrow.

Ms Joseph said the NEU has indicated further strike days will be held on Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, May 2.

Parents and carers will be provided with an update on arrangements for these dates by the end of the week.

She said: “The Interim Executive Board is of the view, following consultation with all stakeholders conducted previously, that the future leadership and governance of the school is best secured by becoming an academy in the Swale Academies Trust in the very near future.”