TEACHING union ATL backed calls yesterday for a new teaching college that is independent from government. 

The Sutton Trust found 41 per cent of teachers support a Royal College of Teaching compared with just 17 per cent who oppose the idea. 

The poll comes two years after the General Teaching Council for England was abolished by the Tories. 

ATL general secretary Mary Bousted said: “We strongly believe that teachers and other education professionals should determine how children are taught and that politicians should not be involved in the detail of how teachers teach.

“However the Sutton Trust’s survey shows that the Royal College of Teaching will have work to do to convince teachers that it is truly independent and offers the highest quality professional development.”