IN response to Phillip Brookes's letter about teaching, may I congratulate him on hitting the nail on the head.

I was appalled at the 'flyaway' comment in'The changing face of Britain' letter, assuming that ALL teachers knock off work mid afternoon.

As a secondary school English teacher, I can tell you that the hours I work are beyond a joke. Why do it then? I hear you say; simply through love.

If teachers did not love their vocation (and is is a vocation, not a career) then there would be absolutely no reason to continue- it certainly isn't the pay or holidays that keeps me in my classroom ten hours a day and working at home each and every Sunday.

So Mr Brookes, thankyou for spelling it out to the many who regard Christmas bonuses, office parties and cheaper out-of-term holidays as a right not a privilege.

Cat Shepherd Norton