SCHOOL strikes could be back on the cards after union members voted for walkouts.

A non-binding preliminary ballot of NEU teachers saw a majority reject the government’s pay rise offer – and backed industrial action.

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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said walkouts would be “indefensible” and urged the union to “put children first”.

She said: “With school staff, parents and young people working so hard to turn the tide on school attendance, any move towards industrial action by teaching unions would be indefensible.

“Following a 5.5% pay award in hugely challenging fiscal context, I would urge the NEU to put children first.”

Ministers awarded teachers a 2.8 per cent pay rise for next year, following a 5.5 per cent rise last year.

Only 47 per cent of members voted in the preliminary ballot, which would be below the 50 per cent threshold if replicated for a real vote.

NEU boss Daniel Kebede said: “Year upon year of pay cuts against inflation have damaged the competitiveness of teacher pay and coupled with relentless workload, have fuelled a recruitment and retention crisis that is affecting every school in the land.”