TEACHERS across Worcestershire are set to walk out in a day of strike action next month.

Members of the two largest teacher’s trade unions in the country – the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) – in Worcestershire and across the West Midlands are set to go on strike on Tuesday, October 1.

The two unions represent nine out of ten teachers in the country and are staging the walkouts in protest against changes to pay, pensions and workloads which could see salaries set by schools rather than the government and based on performance in the classroom.

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families Coun Liz Eyre said the action may result in some schools being forced to close or partially close.

“Our expectation is that schools will do everything they can to stay open, although individual schools will make their own decisions,” she said.

"We are currently monitoring the situation and making contingency plans to minimise any possible disruption. The County Council will be providing appropriate advice and guidance to schools and head teachers in the lead up to the one-day regional strike on October 1.”

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said the unions felt they had “no other choice” but to strike.

“At the start of the new academic year, the last thing teachers wish to be doing is preparing for further industrial action. It is a great shame that the Education Secretary has let things get to this stage,” she said.

“Michael Gove has demoralised an entire profession, it is time that he started to listen for the sake of teachers, pupils and education.”

Teachers in the East of England, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside will join their colleagues in the West Midlands on October 1, while those in London, the North East, South East and South West will strike two weeks later on Thursday, October 17.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: “The attacks on teachers are relentless.

“The reward for their hard work, dedication and commitment has been a vicious assault on their pay, conditions and professionalism.”

Both unions claim Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has refused to address their concerns, but yesterday (Thursday)the Tory minister said there was “no excuse” for going on strike.

"What is the complaint that teachers have?,” he said. “Is it that pensions are poor? It has been pointed out that even after recent changes, teachers have better pensions than the majority in the public and private sectors."

The two unions are also planning a further day of action across the entire country before the end of the autumn term.