Workers at the Department for Education have voted to go on strike in a row over spending cuts and job losses.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union backed walkouts by almost 2-1, and other forms of industrial action by nearly 9-1.
The union said it believed Education Secretary Michael Gove is using the department as an ideological test-bed for wider civil service cuts.
Around 1,000 jobs are under threat because of spending cuts, said the union.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "These cuts are purely political and would not only mean misery for 1,000 of Mr Gove's own staff but also put at risk some vital public services, such as ensuring children are safe at school and supporting special educational needs."
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