SCHOOLS across Worcestershire could be involved in nationwide strikes next week in a dispute over pay.

National teacher strikes are being held next Wednesday (February 1), and employees are not required to tell their employers whether they intend to take strike action.

Worcestershire County Council said it is "working closely" to support schools across the county.

A spokesperson said: "The Department for Education (DfE) has issued guidance to all schools on handling strike action.

"It is the expectation of the DfE that school leaders will take all reasonable steps to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible.

"However, where there is no option but to restrict attendance, priority should be given to vulnerable children and young people, children of critical workers, and pupils due to sit public exams and other formal assessments.

"The Council is working closely to support our schools which are currently reviewing their circumstances and planning accordingly."

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Guidance from the Department for Education suggests agency staff and volunteers could be used to cover classes on strike days, with schools expected to remain open where possible.

But many parents are still waiting to hear if they will need to make childcare arrangements on February 1 as school leaders across England and Wales are trying to work out whether they can keep their doors open.

The NEU is required by law to provide schools with the number of members in a workplace ahead of the planned strike action, but the union does not have to provide the names of individual members to employers.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), called on school leaders earlier this week to let parents know ahead of February 1 if they plan to shut their doors during strike action next week.

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The NEU said it has received 22,000 new sign-ups in the past week after announcing it will launch seven days of walkouts throughout February and March in England and Wales.

Ms Bousted said she is expecting more than 100,000 teachers to strike on February 1 – the first day of industrial action – which she has said will result in “lots of schools” closing.