SCHOOLS across South Essex could close as teachers stage a one-day walk out in protest against pay and working conditions.

The National Union of Teachers, which represents teachers in England, has said it expects the strike to be well supported by its members.

Out of the union's members in England, 91.7 per cent voted to support strike action against cuts in funding.

The strike demands are to increase funding to schools and education, guarantee terms and conditions in all types of schools, and to resume negotiations on teacher contracts to allow workload to be addressed.

Jerry Glazier, General Secretary of Essex NUT said: "No teacher takes strike action lightly.

"Teachers go into the profession to make a difference to children’s lives and to develop in them a love of learning.

"However, growing inadequate levels of funding, are having a negative effect on both children and teachers that cannot go unaddressed.

“According to the respected Institute of Fiscal Studies, schools are facing the worst funding cuts since the 1970s.

"This is impacting heavily on the choices and decisions that head teachers in Essex and around the country have to make."

Mr Glazier believes that changes such as increase in class sizes, a reduction in subject choices for children, less materials, books and school trips as well as teachers being cut or not replaced have all had a negative impact on the profession.

He added: "If, as many predict, inflation rises following the EU referendum, then schools will be forced to contend with even larger real term damaging cuts.

“Meanwhile George Osborne is freezing the cash per pupil he gives to schools, whilst increasing what he takes from them.

"This academic year, for every 20 teachers employed, a school has to find an extra teacher salary to give to the Treasury.

“On top of the funding cuts, the break up of the national system of terms and conditions for teachers is a complete distraction for head teachers.

"Instead of focusing on teaching and learning they will have to spend huge amounts of time negotiating teacher contracts.

“Schools need funding to a level where every child is guaranteed an education they deserve, and are taught by qualified teachers that schools can afford to employ.

"Academies should have regard to national terms and conditions for teachers.

"Parents, children, teachers and the general public expect this of our education system.

"This should be within every government’s grasp to guarantee."

As teacher are not required to reveal their intentions to take part in the strike until the day it is still unclear as to how many schools across South Essex will be affected and how although schools are expected to give details over the next few days.