Two Isle of Wight colleges will close on February 1, when members of the NEU teaching union walk out over pay and schools funding.

In a letter sent to parents today (Friday), the executive head of the Isle of Wight Education Federation, which runs Medina and Carisbrooke Colleges, Matthew Parr-Burman, said: "We have had further information from members which is going to mean that we are unfortunately not able to open the school to students on Wednesday.

"We have had to make the decision based on the health and safety of our students and staff.

"The sites will however be open to staff who are not striking, as well as staff who are not entitled to strike."

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What should I do if I am entitled to a free school meal?

  • Apply for a voucher via Donna Keogh
  • Email: donna.keogh@iwef.org.uk

As previously reported by the Isle of Wight County Press, the federation had hoped to open to all pupils on strike day.

The school says online learning will be provided wherever possible, but warned staff taking part in industrial action cannot be compelled to set work.

Year 10 and 11 students all have access to online learning platforms including Tassomai, GCSE Pod, Sparx and Seneca.

Students already have their logins and can sign in through Google. Year 7, 8 and 9 can access BBC Bitesize and Oak Academy, said the school.

It added: "We understand that this may cause some disruption to your day, but we feel that it is better to make the decision allowing some time for arrangements to be made, rather than having to make a very short notice decision on the morning."

What do you think about the strike action?

In total, the NEU says its action will impact 23,400 schools across England and Wales, including those on the Island.

Across the country, seven days of action will take place in February and March and any single school will be hit by four of those seven days.

Teachers in sixth form colleges will also take action, in a separate but linked dispute.