Teachers should welcome longer school days and shorter holidays in a bid to ensure pupils behave and succeed, the Education Secretary Michael Gove announced on ITV's Daybreak.

Under proposals for an extended school day, pupils could remain in school between 7.30am and 5.30pm and attend on Saturdays, with an extra two weeks potentially being added to school terms.

"We are all in favour of longer school days, and potentially shorter summer holidays,' Michael Gove stated. "If you [teachers] love your job then there is, I think, absolutely nothing to complain about in making sure you have more of a chance to do it well."

The plan is part of a Government reform, designed to improve classroom standards. The reform will also give headteachers the power to sack 'underperforming' teachers in a term, rather than a year, in order to create a "simpler and faster system to deal with teachers who are struggling", the Daily Mail reports.

Many of the teaching unions have accused Michael Gove of bullying teachers, with members of the NASUWT threatening strike action over changes to performance management and pay.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said strike action could be extended if Mr Gove's 'relentless attacks' continue: "As far as we're concerned any school that moved to introduce these procedures, which in our view are unnecessary, then obviously we've got the ability to escalate our industrial action. We wouldn't want to move as far as strike action but if that was about protecting teachers' jobs, that's what we would do."

Referring to the prospect of a longer school day, Brian Lightman, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) commented: "The worst thing we can do for the quality of our education service is to worsen the existing long hours culture."

One secondary school teacher speaking on a social networking site said: "Seriously, Mr Gove? Teachers who love their job should be happy with his idea of longer school days and shorter summer holidays. I already work a 60-70 hour week, am permanently tired and cannot give any more. I should also add that the children need rest too."

When questioned in a 2010 Teacher Support Network poll, 96 per cent of teaching staff, school leaders and lecturers said their current workload had a negative effect on their health and wellbeing.

One respondent said: "My workload at my previous primary teaching post led me to resigning. I would work 12-14 hour days and also work over weekends and throughout my holidays. I never, ever got all my work completed, leading to very low morale, stress and anxiety. I am now a supply teacher and although I have taken a severe pay cut I am much happier and healthier."

If you are concerned about your workload, or feel as though your health and wellbeing has been affected by long working hours, call our free, confidential Support Line on 08000 562 561.

Do you work extra hours or through the holidays? How does in affect your health and wellbeing? Tell us in the comments box below.

To read more about the Government reforms, click here.