Julian Stanley, Teacher Support Network's Group Chief Executive, comments on the Government's new plans for underperforming teachers:

"We are concerned about the impact of labelling teachers as underperforming too quickly.

Of course, underperformance must be addressed in schools, but Teacher Support Network has found that some of the teachers who have been labelled as 'bad' are simply lacking skills and experience. With advice from one of our trained coaches, these teachers have often been able to identify how they can take a pro-active role in improving their skills and gaining the confidence to seek support. Many can go on to have very successful, rewarding careers in education.

The cause of underperformance may not be as clearly definable as some might think. We know, as the only charity providing practical and emotional support to teachers and staff working in FE and HE, and from the nearly 2,500 calls and emails that Teacher Support Network received last year on this issue alone that some teachers are concerned about a lack of support and mentoring. Others are struggling to thrive in the climate of fear or bullying that can occur when a manager or headteacher takes charge, who has not been sufficiently trained or developed themselves.

Teaching is a rewarding, yet uniquely challenging profession, and, as in any profession, there will be teachers that will find these unique demands too hard to deal with over the length of their career and will need help to address performance issues or indeed support to change their careers with dignity, rather than a label.

Moreover, with reports that two in five teachers leaving the profession within five years of training, and an education system faced with cuts, pensions disputes and structural changes and with the public's perception of the teaching profession at a low, the real cause for concern is how we will attract, recruit and retain the next generations of teachers to the profession."

For further comment, contact Jason Harrison, Teacher Support Network's Acting Head of Marketing at jason.harrison@teachersupport.info or by telephone on: 020 7697 2762 / 07957 453737.