Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show this weekend, Education Secretary, Michael Gove called on parents to alleviate the “massive inconvenience” of the planned teachers strike on Thursday this week.

Teachers are planning a one day-strike in protest over public sector pension reform on Thursday 30^th June. Mr Gove warned union leaders that their "high reputations" would be at risk if they pressed ahead with the planned industrial action.

He told the BBC, "The individual leaders of the unions that are going out on strike this week – Christine Blower at the National Union of Teachers, Mary Bousted at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers – are very committed people who want the best in the system.”

"I don't want to get into a pitched battle with them, but I do want to emphasise that the public have a very low tolerance for anything that disrupts their hard-working lifestyles."

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, responded by advising parents to, “Leave it to head teachers who are trained to make these decisions… not a mums’ army who haven’t been trained.”

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, added, "We are very sympathetic to the problems parents will have on the day. However, substituting CRB-checked parents for teachers won't work, as pupils simply won't be taught."

750,000 teachers, university lecturers and civil servants were preparing to strike on Thursday against proposed reforms to public sector pensions. Thousands of schools across England and Wales are expected to close as a result of the 24-hour co-ordinated action.

Ministers will meet union leaders today for last minute negotiations.