General Teaching Council Northern Ireland

But most do not think that a degree grade, or the university attended, is an indication that someone will be a good teacher.

Ministers have announced plans to axe teacher-training funding for graduates with less than a 2:2 degree as part of efforts to boost standards in schools.

The new poll, conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, which represents Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, found that more than three in five think a 2:2 is necessary to teach secondary school pupils, while almost half think it is necessary for primary school teachers.

Two-thirds agreed that sixth-form teachers should have a least a 2:2 degree.

But the survey, which questioned more than 650 school staff, found that 83 per cent do not believe that someone's degree grade indicates how good they will be in the classroom.

And 71 per cent said that the college or university a student attended bore no relevance to how good a teacher they would be. The poll questioned student teachers, teachers, lecturers, headteachers and managers across the UK.