Schools could face coordinated strikes by teachers and headteachers in autumn

Four education unions plan to co-ordinate any possible industrial action moving forward in a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at a rally in Oxford, as they take strike action in a dispute over pay (Matilda Head/PA) (PA)

Schools across England could be forced to close after four unions announced coordinated strike action in a long-running dispute over pay.

It means teachers and school leaders could stage walkouts at the same time, causing widespread disruption.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will re-ballot its members in England during the summer term on strike action, with possible walkouts in the autumn if the ballot is successful.