The love of teaching may always be a factor, but many people in the education profession have considered leaving their jobs in what has been a difficult 12 months for teachers.

A new survey conducted by independent polling company ComRes seems to validate unions' stances that teachers are very unhappy with the reforms of the coalition government.

According to the results, over half of teachers (52 per cent) stated they have given serious consideration to moving on from their current job in 2013. However, more telling is the fact that 47 per cent said they had thought about leaving the profession altogether.

Two-fifths of British teachers (41 per cent) explained that their level of job satisfaction had fallen in the past year. Reasons for this were wide-ranging but included increased workload (79 per cent), followed by remuneration such as pay and pensions (66 per cent), changes or reforms in the curriculum (59 per cent) and school inspections (51 per cent).

The poll also showed there remain many aspects of teaching that make it a rewarding profession such as seeing children learn and progress (cited by 91 per cent), interacting with pupils (90 per cent) and making a positive difference (83 per cent).

Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers - the largest teachers’ union - said the results show that teachers’ enthusiasm and morale are being stifled by educational reforms and this will be detrimental to the whole country.

She added: "The ComRes poll makes clear that whilst teachers love teaching and are passionate about helping pupils to succeed, their ability to be effective is being severely hampered by excessive workload and perverse accountability systems which divert teachers’ time and energy from the all important task of teaching and leading pupils’ learning."

If you are looking for a teaching job, do you feel that the profession's rewards still outweigh the pressures?