The ability to strike is a "fundamental British liberty", one primary school in Swindon has said in a letter to parents.

Thousands of teachers are set to go on strike across Swindon and Wiltshire and several schools are telling parents they will have to close as a result. 

A pay dispute between teaching unions and the government has led to strike action being called, with teachers in the county making the difficult decision to walk out of the job on Wednesday, February 1.

One of the schools affected, Lainesmead Primary School and Nursery in Walcot, has written to parents to inform them of the upcoming strike and the resultant closure. 

Read More: Latest on school closures ahead of teacher's strike

The school stated that some classes in early years, year 1 and year 3, as well as both year 4 classes, both year 5 classes, and both year 6 classes would need to stay at home, and complete home learning. 

It said: "I am sorry that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child at short notice, and or/that they will experience disruption to their education. 

“I understand that this situation may be frustrating and ask that all members of out school community continue to treat each other with respect.”

The letter, signed by the school's head teacher Mrs Eirian Painter, also explained the reasons for the strike action taking place.

"Exercising the right to strike when negotiations break down is a fundamental British liberty. We know it is not one that anyone ever uses lightly. Going on strike means getting past tough legal restrictions, including winning a ballot conducted by post and losing pay for days taken on strike.

“The strikes are happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government. This is about whether there is enough money available to pay a fully-funded increase in pay for teachers which at least matches inflation, and which begins to restore lost teachers' pay.

“The strike action is not because of any issues within our school.”

Last-minute talks between the National Education Union and the Department for Education and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan took place on Monday, but the two parties failed to reach a compromise.

The DfE has offered a 5 per cent pay rise to most teachers for the current school year, but the NEU is demanding a fully funded above-inflation pay rise for teachers of 12 per cent.

Teachers will now be going ahead with the strike on February 1, and preparing for further strikes on March 2, March 15 and March 16.

If your school has been affected by the strike action and is closing or partially closing on Wednesday, we want to hear from you. Please email daniel.wood@newsquest.co.uk.