Ormiston Rivers Academy, in Burnham-On-Crouch, is set to close on Wednesday (February 1) as part of a nationwide teachers' strike - but will remain open for Years 11 and 13.

It was announced this morning that the National Education Union's industrial action will go ahead, after last-ditch talks with the government failed.

A spokesperson for the Academy told Nub News: "We respect our staff's right to take industrial action. 

"We are doing our utmost to keep our academy open for as many students as possible, but we will not have enough members of staff to safely open to everyone. 

"We will therefore just be open to students in Year 11 and Year 13, as well as those on the vulnerable register and the children of critical workers."

However, students not attending in person will still be able to access lessons online, through the Academy's "well-rehearsed remote learning programmes".

Plume Academy in Maldon will also close to the majority of students as more than 60 of its teachers are set to go on strike. 

7,000 Essex NEU members could take action in the first of four proposed strikes nationwide.

Last week, Murray Sackwild, Secretary of the NEU's Essex Branch, told Nub News: "Over the last 12 years, we have seen year on year real terms cuts to education funding - meaning fewer teachers, fewer support assistants and fewer resources.

"Teachers are demoralised with excessive workloads, often 50 to 60-hour weeks and annually depreciating pay - about 20 per cent real terms reduction."