A HEADTEACHER from Worcestershire has said he "fully understands" why colleagues across the country have proposed strike action over education funding cuts.

Children could face disruption before the end of the year after teachers voted for a post-election ballot on national strikes at the National Union of Teachers annual conference.

Delegates backed a resolution effectively giving the next government a six-month deadline to come up with a fresh plan to protect school spending, or face industrial action, including walkouts.

They warned that looming funding cuts currently faced by schools and colleges will damage pupils' education, lead to job losses and hit teachers' pay, pensions and workload.

Pershore High School headteacher Clive Corbett said: "I don't necessarily think it's the right way, but I can fully understand it because the situation is that cuts in education funding are going to be felt most keenly in authorities like Worcestershire.

"Unfortunately it very much looks like [a strike] is what's going to happen.

"I can understand people's fears and frustrations.

"The NUT represents its members and there's every chance [teachers] are going to be under threat.

"Nobody takes such a decision lightly and I think it's a sign of the increasing desperation that teachers feel.

"All we can do is try to make sure whichever government takes power tackles the situation and makes sure that Worcestershire and other authorities are fairly funded."

Anne Lemon, of the NUT's executive, said it was shocking that research published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggested that all of the main political parties spending plans for education could lead to up to a 12 per cent cut in funding.