More schools have announced full or partial closures ahead of a nationwide strike by teachers on Thursday.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Association of Teachers and Lectures (ATL) will walk out in protest at government demands that they dramatically increase their monthly pension contributions and work for longer.

Hertfordshire County Council, responsible for all but four Watford schools, said it expected schools to open but said the final decision would be left to headteachers.

On Friday we published a list of schools that were planning closures.

Queens’ School, Garston Manor, Bushey Academy, Francis Combe, Maple Cross JMI, Harvey Road (Croxley Green) and Watford Field all announced full closures. Leavesden Green and St John’s (Radlett) both announced partial closures.

The latest updated list from the council shows that four more schools have announced closures. St John’s RC Primary School, in Rickmansworth and the Meriden School, in Watford, will both close completely.

Kingsway Infants will close its doors to years one and two. Kingsway junior school will open only to year six children and Central Primary will open only for year four children.

Anne Jarman, president of the Hertfordshire NUT, said she sympathised with parents but stressed that action was necessary. She said: “It is something that teachers do not take lightly – it is very difficult for them to go on strike because the last thing they want to do is to make children suffer, but this is a very important issue for them.

“If the changes go through in their current form teachers are going to have to contribute at least twice what they are contributing now and work longer to collect their pensions.”

Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove, meanwhile, has called on parents to break the strike and help to keep schools open.

What do you think of the strikes – are you supporting the teachers? How will their actions affect you and your children? Let us know by commenting below.