Agency workers and volunteers could be used to cover classes amid nationwide teacher strikes affecting more than 23,000 schools.
The Department for Education (DfE) has issued updated guidance for schools after members in the National Education Union (NEU) voted in favour of walkouts amid rows over pay.
The guidance calls on headteachers to 'take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible', with those most vulnerable given priority.
It also advised that 'schools or groups of schools may wish to consider building up a bank of cover supervisors'.
