HAMPSHIRE County Council has provided advice to schools on the implications of strike action ahead of possible industrial action on 26 March.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is in an ongoing dispute with the Government in respect of reforms to the education sector as well as teachers’ pay, conditions and pensions.

The county council has written to all headteachers at its schools, providing information for staff on the implications of participating in industrial action or otherwise being absent, or partially performing work duties on the day of industrial action.

Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education said: “I hope the decision of the union to ask their members to take part in a day of industrial action next week does not lead to widespread disruption to pupils’ education.

“This dispute is not with the county council but with the Government over changes to teachers’ pay, pensions and conditions.

“Any decisions to close schools will be for individual headteachers and their governing bodies to make. They will have to decide whether they have sufficient staff to enable them to open the school safely and maintain a full or revised curriculum, and it may not be possible for schools to gauge the impact of the strike until the actual day.

“As always, the county council’s primary concern is for the education and welfare of children.”

Schools and education centres have been advised to use the county council’s usual procedures to notify parents of any closures or other arrangements such as partial closures.

Updates and full details will be available at hants.gov.uk/schoolclosures.