The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for a one-day strike over teachers' pay on 24th April.
The industrial action was voted for by three to one as teachers protest against the government's proposed pay increase of 2.45%. Many schools in England could be closed and most will have to turn some children away.
The situation is made more complicated because two out of three schools return from their Easter holidays today, leaving little time for them to assess staff numbers and plan accordingly.
Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'I am disappointed that the NUT has voted in favour of strike action over a pay award that represents a good deal for teachers in the present climate.'
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, another education union, is not striking. Instead it is telling its members to continue work as normal and to cross picket lines if necessary.
Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the NUT, said: 'Teachers shouldn't have to take this action to receive fair pay and have a reasonable workload. It's time to call a halt to the fall in the real value of teachers' pay.'
In the face of the first national teachers' strike in 21 years the government is advising parents to contact their local school as soon as possible.
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