THOUSANDS of school pupils are getting an extra day off today following a walkout by teachers.

Classrooms are silent across the region as union members protest about pay, pensions and workloads.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, Dudley cabinet member for children's services, said: "Pupils' education is our top priority but clearly we need to balance this with the rights of an individual to protest. Our priority will continue to be the education and welfare of all of our pupils and we will be working hard with the schools to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum."

The following schools have been affected

Partially open

Amblecote Primary School, Brockmoor Primary School, Bromley Hills Primary School, Church of the Ascension CofE Primary School, Cotwall End Primary School, Dingle Community Primary School, Fairhaven Primary School, Newfield Park Primary School, Oldswinford CofE Primary School, Our Lady and St Kenelm RC School, Pedmore CofE Primary School, Red Hall Primary School, St Jamess CofE Primary School, St Marys RC Primary School, The CofE School of St Edmund and St John, Thorns Community College, Wrens Nest Primary School, Hatybridge High School (Hagley).

Closed

Belle Vue Primary School, Blowers Green Primary School, Brook Primary School, Caslon Primary School, Christ Church CofE Primary School, Colley Lane Primary School, Dudley Wood Primary School, Foxyards Primary School, Glynne Primary School, Hurst Green Primary School, Hurst Hill Primary School, Kates Hill Community Primary School, Lapal Primary School, Lutley Primary School, Manor Way Primary School, Milking Bank Primary School, Netherbrook Primary School, Netherton CofE Primary School, Northfield Road Primary School, Olive Hill Primary School, Priory Primary School, Quarry Bank Primary School, Queen Victoria Primary School, Roberts Primary School, Rosewood School, Rufford Primary School, St Marks CofE Primary School, Straits Primary School, Sycamore Secondary Short Stay School, The Bromley-Pensnett Primary School, The Crestwood School, The Ridge Primary School, The Summerhill School, The Wordsley School, Withymoor Primary School, Woodside Community School, Edgecliff School (Kinver), Hagley RC School.