MEMBERS of a headteaching union have responded in anger to a letter from the UK government putting pressure on schools to remain open despite planned industrial action on June 30.

Secretary of state for education Michael Gove has written to school leaders telling them they have a “strong moral duty” to keep schools open, according to the National Association of Head Teachers.

General Secretary of the NAHT Russell Hobby said the implications of the letter were patronising to many of his members, who he said have spent their entire careers keeping schools open.

“Mr Gove would do well to remember that the reason for our colleagues taking this action and indeed, for our own decision to ballot our members in the coming weeks, is that the profession is deeply alarmed by what the government’s proposals for pensions will mean to the future of education,” he added.

Gwent councils are yet to fully announce which schools may or may not close on June 30.