Such incentives could help to keep teachers in the schools most in need of dedicated staff, said Carol Adams, chief executive of the General Teaching Council for England.

What the pupils need above all is continuity. They need the self-esteem that comes with knowing that their school is where their teachers want to stay long term Carol Adams, General Teaching Council

As a survey shows that up to a third of teachers expect to leave the profession in the next five years, Ms Adams has called for more efforts to retain staff.

Speaking at the North of England Education Conference in Warrington, Ms Adams said that the most difficult schools often had a high turnover of staff.

"What the pupils need above all is continuity. And they need the self-esteem that comes with knowing that their school is where their teachers want to stay long term.

"The very best teachers are needed, backed up by the very best support staff, not unqualified teachers plugging gaps. This is a coping strategy, not an educational one."

Motivation

"To work effectively in such schools requires exceptional motivation, stamina and energy."

Incentives for staff could included bonuses, sabbaticals or training, she suggested.

There are schools which can already pay higher rates to retain staff. But Ms Adams suggested that these were not widely enough available.

The survey suggesting that large numbers of teachers are planning to leave the profession was jointly commissioned by the GTC.

The key factors in driving people out of teaching were identified as bad behaviour among pupils and an excessive workload.