HUNDREDS of lessons will be cancelled tomorrow in Reading as teachers across the country go on strike over investment in education.

More than 20 schools in the borough will be either closed or see partial disruption as members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) walk out.

Strikers claim the financial cuts being passed down are putting children's education at risk and they are calling for assurances schools will be protected.

Parents are advised to check the website of the child's school for further details of closures but a provisional list compiled by Reading Borough Council can be seen at the end of this story.

Kevin Courtney, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "The NUT is aware that strike action can be disruptive to parents and carers and for that we wholeheartedly apologise.

"Equally, teachers do not take strike action lightly. The problems facing education, however, are too great to be ignored and we know many parents share our concerns.

"The strike is about the underfunding of our schools and the negative impact it is having on children’s education and teachers’ terms and conditions. Schools are facing the worst cuts in funding since the 1970s. The decisions which head teachers have to make are damaging to our children and young people’s education.

"Class sizes going up, school trips reduced, materials and resources reduced, and subjects – particularly in the arts – are being removed from the curriculum. Teaching posts are being cut or not filled when staff leave. All of this just to balance the books.

"No parent wants this for their children. No teacher wants this for their school or pupils. With political parties in turmoil since the EU referendum, it is imperative that education is put to the forefront of every election campaign. The problems schools face need addressing immediately. We must not let the education of the next generation be side lined."

Those expected to close are as follows:

Caversham Park Primary - closed

Christ The King Catholic Primary School - closed

Coley Primary - partial closure

English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School - partial closure

EP Collier Primary - partial closure

Highdown School - partial closure (open to Years 7 and 12 and applicable Year 10 students)

Katesgrove Primary School - partial closure

Moorlands Primary School - closed

New Christ Church CE (VA) Primary School - closed

Prospect School - partial closure (open to Year 12 only)

Ranikhet Academy - partial closure

Reading Girls School - partial closure (open to Year 10 only)

Redlands Primary School - partial closure

Southcote Primary School - partial closure

St Anne's Catholic Primary School - partial closure

St Michael's Primary School - partial closure

Thameside Primary School - partial closure

The Avenue - partial closure

The Hill Primary School - partial closure

Wilson Primary School - partial closure