Council bosses are preparing for a teachers’ strike on Tuesday, although they do not know what impact it will have on Welwyn Hatfield schools or others in Hertfordshire.

The National Union of Teachers has told the county council its members will strike over national disputes around pay and working conditions.

Councillor David Williams, cabinet member for schools, said: “We hope that there is a speedy resolution to this dispute in the interests of all concerned. In the meantime, we are working closely with schools and headteachers to manage the impact of the strike in Hertfordshire.

“The decision to stay open or to close is for individual school headteachers and governors to make. We have urged as many schools as possible to remain open as long as it is safe to do so, but we do not have any authority to compel them to stay open, whether they are community schools, free schools or academies.

“If school leaders decide to close their doors, we have advised them to inform parents and carers as soon as possible in advance, so that they can make alternative arrangements for their children.”

The authority advises parents to contact their children’s schools directly to find out whether they will be open.