A headteacher has called for teachers to self-regulate their profession in order to retain both morale and the quality of education.

Joan Deslandes, who is in charge of Kingsford Community School, also expressed her concerns that social mobility had been hindered by politicising the school system.

She said: “We are now at a stage where our country’s expertise in education supersedes the ideological constraints of party politics and in order to truly progress, teaching should be allowed to govern itself.

“It is time for change and I applaud the current administration for their understanding of the need to move towards a teacher-led education system and for recognising the huge potential of an independent College of Teaching.”

Ms Deslandes is one of the founder trustees of the College of Teaching, a new independent chartered professional body.

Her comments came during a meeting of 150 staff at the school in Kingsford Way, Beckton, when membership of the college was discussed.

She said: “The move towards a self-regulating College of Teaching is testament to the work of governments in improving the profession to such a point that an organisation like this is now a viable, and I believe necessary step to take for the future success of education provision in this country.”

Ms Deslandes, who has been a teacher for 30 years, also expressed her concern at the number of people giving up their careers due to a variety of pressures.

She said: “The wealth of teaching talent and educational know-how in the UK is substantial and yet we are seeing teachers leave the profession in droves.

“Retention of staff is key to ensuring that a British education remains highly prized.”

Despite her calls for change, Ms Deslandes has also lauded government attempts to raise the bar in the classroom.

She said: “In recent years there has been a great deal of excellent research in education which has resulted in a pool of teaching talent that has never been greater

“Under successive governments, innovations in teaching and learning have been introduced thick and fast.

“Some of these have benefitted both pupils and the profession greatly.

“However, these have at times come sandwiched between detrimental initiatives or supported by a selective reading of the evidence.”