The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has today confirmed that a regional strike will take place across the country next Wednesday in protest over over pay, pensions and working conditions.

Chris Hayward, cabinet member for education, said: "While we recognise that there are strongly held feelings on both sides of this national dispute, strike action in a key public service like this can only be to the detriment of Hertfordshire’s children and their parents. We hope that there is a speedy resolution to this dispute in the interests of all concerned."

The decision to stay open or to close is for individual head teachers and governors to make.

Details of schools that the council are aware are closing will appear on their online school closure reporting system but - as schools are not obliged to inform of closures in advance - this will not be an entirely accurate picture.