It is hard to see what the positive outcomes of the social partnership have been, given that every School Teachers’ Review Body survey shows an increase, or at best no reduction, in hours worked by teachers.

The NUT’s main objection to the social partnership was, and remains, the excessive use of support staff in schools.

If we expect others to value our profession we cannot possibly condone the use of unqualified staff being responsible for children and young people’s education.

It is, of course, important that the NUT has the opportunity to speak to ministers of state. We do indeed seek, and are afforded, that opportunity outside the context of the social partnership.

Christine Blower, General secretary, teaching union the NUT, London.