“Occasionally saying we have the best generation of teachers we’ve ever had in no way compensates for the onslaught of attacks,” is the call of arms from union boss Christine Blower. The NUT general secretary is advocating strikes by teachers over pay in the autumn term while fellow union leaders suggested refusing to co-operate with some government initiatives. At a joint press conference this week Ms Blower and NASUWT leader Chris Keates said the teaching profession was in “crisis”.