"We will put students front and centre and do our best not to close our schools on strike days."

That was the message from an Isle of Wight headteacher after the National Education Union (NEU) announced strike action for four days in February and March.

Matthew Parr-Burman, executive head at the Isle of Wight Education Federation, which runs Carisbrooke and Medina colleges, told the County Press he was going to talk to Isle of Wight heads about a co-ordinated response.

But, he said, the situation was still fluid and the union was under no obligation to tell them how many members they had at any given school and how many would be going on strike.

Read more: Here's when Island teachers are expected to strike

Read more: This is what Island union official said ahead of strike vote

Individual members did not have to give notice until the day of the strike that they were walking out.

Yesterday, the NEU announced it was planning strikes on February 1, March 2 and March 15 and 16 in the south region.

Mr Parr-Burman said he absolutely backed the right to strike but while the teachers had already been promised a five percent rise, schools were not getting the money from government to cover that, leaving them a big hole in their budgets.

"That said, the situation is fluid and with the union due to meet Education Secretary Gillian Keegan next week, there is still hope the action can be avoided.

"It is complex and we don't know what we don't know.

"However, I don't anticipate closing our two schools.

"We would hope to use online learning etc to help with this also.

"Whatever happens we will work to keep parents informed every step of the way, as soon as we can."

Peter Shreeve, assistant district secretary of the NEU, told the County Press the Island result had been largely in line with the national one, with a 83.56 percent majority in favour on a turnout of 36.23 per cent.

Mr Shreeve said: "It’s with a heavy heart that members have chosen to act. They have chosen to do so, because the government doesn’t appear willing to act or genuinely consult.

"Government has known about staff shortages and its impact on workload for years.

"In recent months the IFS, NFER and even Ofsted’s annual report have highlighted the need for more teachers to fill vacancies and achieve their own targets.

"‘However, closing this gap will not be a quick fix, but it’s not too late for positive discussion.

"The NEU has made their views known for months, but the government only offered their first meeting on January 9...Far too late."

‘We are keen to have a resolution. One that moves towards a ‘minimum service’. For children, parents and education staff, this means not just the expectation, but the reality of a qualified teacher and subject specialist in every classroom."