Head teachers are refusing to make contingency plans during strike action amid fears that schools will have to close completely during planned staff walkouts.
The Department for Education yesterday told school leaders they should strive to stay open and prioritise vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers by using volunteers if necessary.
But head teachers have accused the Government of being naïve, with many refusing to consider the instructions because they are sympathetic to striking teachers’ pay demands.
It comes after leaders of the National Education Union (NEU), the country's largest teaching union, announced on Monday they will be launching strike action after balloting its 300,000 members.
