THOUSANDS of children across Swindon will stay home tomorrow - as teachers strike for the first time in more than 20 years.

In all 31 schools are affected in the Swindon area.

Fifteen schools will be partially closed, with some classes remaining open, while 16 schools are shut completely.

Teachers have taken the action after being offered a below-inflation pay rise by the Government.

Pete Smith, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) Swindon spokesman, said: "After three years of pay cuts below inflation, teachers have had enough.

"They are not prepared to put up with it any more.

"There will be a delegation travelling to Bristol by coach to join in a demonstration there."

Kingsdown School will be closed all day.

Headteacher Wendy Taylor said: "I conducted a risk assessment and found it not to be safe to remain open for staffing lunchtime supervision.

"I do want to say that not all the staff who are part of the NUT have taken part - but a significant proportion have.

"I didn't want to close the school but it's a decision I've had to come to."

Clive Zimmerman, the head of Greendown School, said 25 teachers would be striking - a third of his workforce.

"We will only have our Year 11s in," he said.

"The rest of the school will be off for the day.

"I can understand the frustration in below inflation pay but I find the timing of the strike disappointing with forthcoming exams."

Chris Montacute is head of Wootton Bassett School.

He said: "Some year groups will have the day off, but our exam year groups, Years 11 to 13, will come in.

"We looked at what would be the best thing we could do and this was decided. I apologise for the inconvenience this will undoubtedly cause and hope the disruption is resolved quickly."

Meanwhile, Bradon Forest School in Purton will carry on as normal.

Headteacher Len Spiers said: "The 20 staff of the NUT membership discussed the issue in some detail and their thought is that they think the cause is just but the action is wrong.

"They think it would be counter productive and would lose public support."

Members of the NUT have voted for a national strike in response to the School Teachers' Review Body's recommended pay increase.

The body has recommended a 2.45 percent rise for teachers this year with a further rise of 2.3 percent in 2009 and 2010.

But the National Union of Teachers wants pay rises equivalent to the rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index, which would be more like four per cent.

Schools affected

The following schools will be closed tomorrow: Drove Primary School, Eastrop Infant School, Goddard Park Primary School, Grange Junior School, Holy Rood Catholic Infant School, King William Street CE Primary School, Lethbridge Primary School, Oaktree Nursery and Primary School and Shaw Ridge Primary School.

Crowdys Hill School and St Luke's School will be closed.

Dorcan Technology College, Churchfields School, Isambard Community School, Kingsdown and Highworth Warneford School will also close.

Those partially closed include Bridlewood Primary School, Covingham, Park Primary School, where two classes are closed, Even Swindon Primary School, Ferndale Junior has no classes for years 5 and 6, Holy Rood Catholic Junior School is also part closed.

Lainesmead Primary School, Holy Family School and Ruskin Junior School are partially closed, as is Peatmoor Community Primary School, which is shut to three classes, Penhill Primary is closed to year 4s, and Oliver Tomkins CE Junior School is closed to years 3 and 4.

If in doubt about if your child is affected, contact your school.

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council said anyone concerned about schools in its area being closed, should check its website, www.wiltshire.gov.uk, or call their school direct.