Only teachers in a few rich countries, such as Switzerland and the United States do better, although this analysis does not take into account living costs. In New York, for example, teachers can earn up to around pound;49,000. In the US, hours are set by school districts. Teachers are usually paid extra for after-hours activities, such as coaching sports, but the amounts vary widely.

One in six secondary teachers in France can earn up to pound;32,400, but pound;25,000 is the maximum for most. Primary teachers can reach pound;23,500. Most teachers work a 38-hour week. Primary staff have 26 hours a week of contact time; secondary teachers have 18. After-hours activities are optional.

In the Australian state of Victoria, the maximum a seconary teacher can earn is just under pound;16,000. (Australia’s eight states and territories run their own education systems.) However, across the country teachers are employed for 36 hours a week. In Victoria, primary teachers have 23 hours of contact time, secondary teachers have 18. After-hours activities are not compulsory.

In Spain a teacher with 35 to 40 years’ experience can expect to take home between pound;11,000 and pound;13,000 a year. Staff teach for up to 25 hours, with 18 hours of contact time, but no after-hours activities.

Teachers in Italy get pound;12,000 and secondary staff teach up to 24 hours a week, including six hours’ overtime, and five to six hours a week in meetings. Primary teachers have 22 hours a week of contact time, plus meetings.

Research by Leslie Goffe, Jon Marcus, Jane Marshall, Geoff Maslen, David Newbold and Paul Rigg