Lizzie, they may be facts - but those facts are still based on your experiences; you cannot judge the whole of a profession and the education system on those experiences. I'm not saying that what you are saying, based on your experiences, is wrong but your experiences do not represent the majority of experiences throughout the country so you cannot condemn the whole system.

I am a qualified teacher with a lot of experience. I have taught in different schools, on temporary contracts, on permanent contracts, I have worked as a supply teacher, I have taught in a Young Offenders' Institution and I have been a REOTAS (Re-integration and Education Otherwise Than At School) tutor. I have held positions of responsibilty in schools and I have been an ITT (Initial Teacher Training) mentor - in other words I have been part of the teacher training process. I am also a mother. I have seen many wonderful teachers during my teaching career and many happy children. I have had a lot of experience and success teaching children with learning difficulties ~ in maths too :-)

I understand what you are saying about teachers being born to teach but there are many wonderful teachers out there who have worked hard to become good teachers and I am sorry that your experience has been so poor.