DISRUPTION is expected in schools across Oxfordshire later this month after the two major teaching unions announced industrial action.

Members of the National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT have agreed action short of a strike from September 26 – and members of both unions have voted in favour of a strike on a date yet to be set.

Last week a ballot of NUT members showed 82.5 per cent were in favour of walkouts over pay and working conditions, with a turnout of 27 per cent, following an earlier ballot in favour of action by the NASUWT.

Oxfordshire County Council education cabinet member Melinda Tilley said: “I really hope they do get together and resolve it.

“It has a huge impact because it’s not only children who don’t get to school but also parents don’t get to work so it has a knock-on effect on everyone.”

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “Teachers’ morale is dangerously low. Over-the-top accountability measures are exhausting teachers and the idea they can work to 68 is absurd.

“For the sake of teachers and children’s education, these attacks from Government need to stop.”