In response to the publication of the white paper on education, 'Your Child, Your Schools, Our Future: Building a 21st Century Schools System', Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Julian Stanley, said:

"We agree wholeheartedly with the paper's assertion that every school should be a healthy school and look forward to continuing to work with the DCSF to explore how national policies can enhance the wellbeing of teachers.

"As well as supporting the professional development of teachers as the paper proposes, it's important to take steps to improve their wellbeing. Even the most highly skilled teacher is not able to perform at the highest level if his or her emotional resilience has been worn down by the difficulties of the profession.

"The need for accountability must be balanced by the need to support teachers and protect their wellbeing. Unless teachers are mentally, physically and emotionally healthy, they will not be as able to help deliver the high educational standards which the Government is rightly calling for in 21^st century schools."