Schools told they can use volunteers to stay open as teachers vote for 7 days of strike action

The Department for Education (DfE) called on headteachers to ‘take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible’

Schools have been told they can use volunteers to stay open after teachers voted to strike on seven days between now and mid-March in a row over pay.

Teachers across England and Wales have voted to strike over the next two months amid fears walkouts will lead to a return to online lessons and Covid-style classes.

Nine out of 10 members of the National Education Union (NEU) voted for the action and the union passed the 50 per cent ballot turnout required by law.