In addition, no-one but my family and friends know of the work I do at weekends and during the holidays. I’m sure many teachers are the same. This is all part of the ‘new story’ we need to be telling. Not jokingly saying how we’re only in teaching for the holidays, but making the general population how hard we work and how difficult it is not having enough hours in the day – never mind the *working* day – to get everything done.

The thing is, to my mind at least, is that this move is long overdue. Promotion in schools can equate to less working hours because your time is not tied up teaching lessons and therefore not directly accountable.

However, the best teachers are often those with the most lessons because they are new and inspired and motivated. They teach a high proportion of the timetabled day and need fast resources to plan quickly and effectively. I spoke to a senior teacher not-so-long ago (not at my school) who considered himself a manager, not a teacher. Not a good scenario.

Two things I think here. The UK education system is not set up to allow the frontline teacher to do their jobs properly. This is why the media filter shows teachers to need their holidays,or with too much work to do and negotiating workload. If we, as a country, want teachers to take their jobs seriously without paying them serious money, then providing more time to plan, prepare and mark would be a good start.

However, there are many examples of teachers leaving shool soon after the pupils when the final bell rings. This should also be changed. Expectations should be that teachers finish at a specified time unless under specific agreement from the Headteacher due to childcare, flexitime or working from home.

It is surely not coincidence that very talented people are recruited into teaching and leave shortly after completing a year or two. The workload needs spreading.

How about reducing the number of school holidays to spread the load?