The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) will hold a formal ballot for school leaders to vote on strike action for the first time in the union's history.
Senior elected members of the union decided to ask its members whether they want to stage walkouts "over the school funding crisis, the erosion of teacher and leader pay and conditions, and consequent staff shortages which are undermining the education system".
If members opt to strike, the union said action would be expected to take place during the autumn term of the next school year.
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said: "ASCL has never before formally balloted at a national level and this is clearly a very significant step. The fact that we have reached this point reflects the desperate situation regarding inadequate funding, long-term pay erosion, teacher shortages, and the intransigence of a government which we can only conclude does not value the education workforce or recognise the severe pressures facing the sector."
