Eight in 10 teachers do not feel valued by society, according to a survey by TES and YouGov, which provides an insight into how low morale has sunk within the profession.

Overall, 81 per cent of the workforce say the teaching profession is under-valued by the wider public, with the proportion jumping to 91 per cent among headteachers. The figures were described as “worrying” by the chief executive of Teach First.

According to the poll of more than 600 teachers, discontent is consistent across the board, regardless of whether the respondents are classroom teachers, senior leaders or supply teachers.

The figures show the profession is still pessimistic about its place in society despite ministers’ attempts to alleviate teachers’ workload and improve the relationship with the workforce.

Just this week, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg promised to restore morale. “I get very distressed when I hear how teachers feel they have been somewhat put upon in recent years,” he said on the campaign trail, adding that he would “celebrate, not denigrate, the great, noble profession”.

Brett Wigdortz, founder and chief executive of Teach First, added: “As the worrying figures from TES reveal, it is clear that not enough is being done to ensure that teaching is given the status it deserves more widely. This must change.”

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