Teachers at Khalsa VA Primary School in Southall have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over plans to turn it into academy - but governors are refusing to explain why they want the change.

Ealing National Union of Teachers (NUT) has confirmed all 15 teachers at the Norwood Green Road school who voted were in favour of strike action, along with 17 out of 18 support staff.

The vote, which came in response to the school's governors plans to turn it into an academy , did not include the head teacher Parmjeet Kaur Sehmi.

Getwestlondon has contacted the school's governors to ask them why they wish to turn the two-form entry school into an academy, but so far they have refused to comment.

The strike will go ahead on Wednesday (October 12), followed by a two-day strike on October 19 and 20.

But the Sikh faith school's governors will on Monday (October 10) meet Ealing NUT, who say they are eager to find a solution so the strike can be called off.

'This is about defending education'

Divisions secretary of Ealing NUT, Stefan Simms, said: "Staff have given a clear indication of their determination to defend the children they care deeply about.

"Academising the school will damage the education. This is not about more pay, this is about defending the education.

"Academising will damage both the school and the children's progress, that is why teachers and support staff are voting in such strong numbers, because they care about the kids.

"There is no sound, good reason why they would want to academise the school.

"We are hoping a resolution will be found with the governing body on Monday (October 10), if there is a resolution found then we can put that to the membership and call the strike off if neccessary."

Mr Simms also touted the possibility of a public debate among teachers, parents and governors.

Getwestlondon is not able to contact the teachers for comment before the strike, according to Ealing NUT.

What is an academy?

An academy is overseen by individual charitable bodies, called academy trusts, and are independent, state-funded schools.

They receive their funding from central government, and control their own admission process.

Ballot papers were sent to members at Khalsa VA Primary School in the post last month (September 26), and the results were revealed on Thursday (October 6).

The school opened in 2009 and caters for pupils from nursery to Year 6, reaching full capacity in September last year.

Earlier this year (July 5), teachers rallied together in Haven Green during an NUT strike as thousands of children across the country missed lessons.