Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), has issued a plea for ministers to re-enter talks with education unions ahead of strikes due to take place in schools across England this week.
“We must be wary of a stalemate which could play out over many months, potentially into next academic year,” Ms Cruddas warned.
Teacher members of the National Education Union (NEU) are due to stage fresh walkouts on Thursday and Tuesday in an ongoing dispute over pay.
In a statement issued just days before the walkouts are due to take place, Ms Cruddas said: “Today we call on Government to come back to the negotiating table to find a resolution and return some certainty to classrooms ahead of this crucial period of GCSEs, A-levels, and primary Sats.
“Talking is the only way this dispute will be resolved and ensure that children, who are our first priority, can get back to learning.”
