Paperwork, constant targets and an unrelenting workload are the pressing issues for teachers, according to those who turned out for a meeting during the strike today.

The need to encourage young teachers to stay in the job was the real issue, not pay, many said at the NUT meeting at The Village Hotel in Sandling, Maidstone.

Hundreds of pupils were told to stay at home today as teachers staged a 24-hour strike against pay and conditions.

Striking teachers were told to attend the hotel rather than staying at home. About 50 from secondary and primary schools across Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling were there this morning.

Jane Barfield, from Valley Park Community School, said: “It isn’t about pay; it is about encouraging young people into the profession. People don’t teach for the money - it is a vocation.

“I have been in teaching for 15 years and the actual turnover of young teachers amazes me.”

Brian Thomas, secretary of the Maidstone and Malling branch of the NUT, said: “I think the fact that there hasn’t been strike action for 21 years reflects the fact that teachers are reluctant to take part.

“Over the next few years the government is going to have to start listening because of the number of people that are leaving the profession.”

Michelle Brayford, who has been teaching five years, added: “We just want recognition for the amount of time and hours we are putting in.”

Katie Newland, a teacher in her third year, said: “It seems to be an admin job at the moment - we don’t get enough time to spend with the children. If you take a look at a teacher’s workload it isn’t 9am to 3.30pm - I start at 7.30am and usually don’t leave until 6pm; and then I’ll have marking to do at home.”

Samantha Barnett, from Brunswick Housr Primary, added: “What we want to do is keep doing our job and eat, have a house, and drive to work if we need to - our job isn’t recognised. We are teaching the future nurses, doctors and other professions.”