Hundreds of schools across the country are expected to close tomorrow as a result of strikes by council workers.
Some local education authorities in England and Wales have reported that all schools in their areas will close as thousands of school caretakers, teaching assistants, dinnerladies and other support staff take industrial action over pay.
In Newcastle, all but three of the LEA's 102 primary and secondary schools will be closed. In Manchester, 66 primary, 10 secondary and eight special schools were expected to be shut, while in Birmingham, at least 28 schools were expected to give pupils an extra day off. Forty primaries and nine secondaries in Leeds were either closing or offering restricted services.
In Cardiff, at least 65 schools were due to close, while in Swansea the number is expected to reach 105.
Elsewhere in the country, however, the picture is not as gloomy.
Wrexham and Sheffield LEAs expect most schools in their areas to stay open, while in Somerset all its mainstream schools were expected to open as normal, although some of the county's special schools were facing possible disruption.
Graham Lane, Labour education chairman of the Local Government Association, said the picture was "very patchy" but a "substantial number" of schools would be closed.
The fact that the summer term was ending may have persuaded some headteachers against trying to keep their schools open at all costs, he said.
"We may finish up with a slightly earlier summer break for some people."
