TEACHERS are flocking to private tutoring because of impossible workloads and unrealistic exam targets, a survey revealed yesterday.

The National Union of Teachers said the exodus from schools could only be stopped if ministers took action to cut paperwork and excessive accountability regimes.

Tutoring provider Bidvine said three in four of its tutors were ex-teachers with 67 per cent saying workload was the main reason they had decided to quit.

A third said they left due to unrealistic targets for student exam results, and 18 per cent blamed lousy pay. Thirteen per cent cited poor treatment from students.

NUT pay, conditions and bargaining chief Andrew Morris said: “This survey demonstrates that many of those leaving teaching do so reluctantly and still want to remain in a teaching role.

“It proves that taking effective action on unmanageable workload, endless form-filling and excessive accountability would help stop the exodus of so many good and experienced teachers.”

In October, government figures showed that almost a third of teachers who started work in 2010 had quit teaching within five years of qualifying.

Demand for private tuition has surged in recent years, with 2015 Sutton Trust figures saying a quarter of pupils in England and Wales had received some form of tutoring.

Critics say it gives unfair advantages to kids from wealthier families, though it is disputed whether tutoring improves exam results.

Last year the NSPCC called on tutors to face criminal records checks akin to those undertaken by teachers.