I've just noticed that I got a mention in one of Lizzie's rants. Lizzie, I wasn't the first one who said it was you on the BBC board. When I agreed with whoever it was I used a smiley to show that it was light-hearted. You don't seem to have much of a sense of humour, though. As it happens, I quite enjoy your visits to the BBC boards. I don't think nearly as badly as you as you do of me.

As a teacher in a 'bog-standard' comprehensive in an inner-city area, I've been reading this debate with interest. Obviously no-one is going to change their deeply entrenched opinions on this issue. Joan does seem to have an idea of what teaching is like these days.

I would like to add another issue. Over the past few years pupils in the school I teach at are beginning to threaten teachers and use violence towards them. I know of several dedicated, hard-working, gentle, kind teachers whose careers and mental health have been totally destroyed by this. Teachers are told not to touch pupils at all as pupils will go home and say that they've been assaulted by teachers. Their parents send them to school with instructions not to take any nonsense from the teachers.

I think everyone has a right to feel safe in the place that they work in. More and more teachers don't.