Letter: Finding teachers

Sir: In the late Sixties the careers advice to girls taking A- levels was to become a nurse or go to university or teacher training college and then teach. A few friends broke the mould and became doctors and solicitors.

In comparison, my 20-year-old daughter and her female friends have spent the summer gaining work experience, and also earning far more than me as a teacher, in advertising and the media, merchant banks, law firms and business consultancy firms. Only one wants to teach in a primary school after her degree.

Girls have far more opportunities for a motivated career than was open to my generation. Unless teaching is given a higher status it will not be able to attract the bright, articulate people it needs.

JACQUI ROSS

London N14