Liz Paver’s article does not really impress me. I have a great deal of respect for Lord Puttnam and his films, I even think he talks quite a lot of sense about teaching and education, but that is all it is.

We used to have a strong support network for teachers when I joined the profession in 1982 and there were two strands to it - unions and Teachers’ Centres. The former has been weakened by successive government pressure, and the latter abolished in many areas for similar reasons.

It always worried me that our professional organisations went along with, even supported, the GTC. Now I see that my fears were justified. What have they offered us as a incentive to join the club?

• A Professional Code for Teachers - surely what might be termed blindingly obvious to any teacher with half a brain
• The teaching Oscars - a nice gesture to colleagues who are nominated, but do we even need it? Personally, I feel I know my worth. I do not need a badge or picture in the paper to prove it.nbsp;
• An independent body, who work diligently and with courage to establish high expectations - I call those classroom teachers and good school managers I have no complaint against the men and women of the GTC and their desire to do good.

• I just feel they are sadly misguided in thinking that the majority of teachers think the GTC is either worthwhile or relevant.

  Tony Terry
  7 Helvellyn Close
  Cockermouth
  Cumbria CA13 9BJ