Becoming a teacher involves travelling a stressful route that no non-teachers can truly appreciate.

• At school you observe teachers that inspire you - and ones you think 'have it all wrong'... you feel drawn towards the profession because someone who 'does it right' inspires you....
• At Uni you observe lecturers in the same way, picking up ideas of how you intend to teach when you complete your course.
• Teacher training whether a BEd degree course or a PGCE studied in college after a degree or gaining teacher status 'on the job' in school is an eye-opener. Many of the things you thought were good practice turn out to be out of favour now, you study the latest ideas in educational academic thought while learning what to do practically if little Johnny misbehaves. You discover just how much the Government interferes with Education in this country and how there is so much more to do than impart knowledge and let the parents of your little charges know how they are getting on.

Public attitude towards teachers varies from:

• overpaid, short working hours and long holidays, always moaning or threatening to strike, out for themselves and privileged to
• underpaid, selfless and put upon by the Government

Which of the above prevails depends on your choice of newspaper and the mood of the newspaper editor at the time....

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I propose that Old Girls who are studying to enter the educational sector and those who are now fully qualified have a private forum, 'The Staffroom', where they can discuss the problems that they can discuss (I know some can't be discussed because their workplace will not let them - but we Old Girls can find ways around anything!).

I want it to be a forum where, when overwhelmed by stress or just plain disheartened, they can talk to others from a similar educational background (the Good Old School) and hear from others who have lived through a period of time like they are having....

Sometimes you need to talk to someone who is remote from your situation but can understand where you're coming from. I think that speaking to others from the 'old school' could help - or at least not do any harm....

There is a 'closed group' called 'The Staff Room' on Face book which has been set up for you to mingle with others in your professional calling....