“Those teachers who are still keeping schools open for key workers are doing an amazing thing - you are putting your own lives at risk for the sake of the nation.”

The message from Professor Samantha Twiselton, director of Sheffield Institute of Education, is among video messages on Twitter praising the efforts of schools’ staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

The messages follow an appeal from Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, who tweeted a video as part of ITV’s #BritainGetTalking campaign.

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Also praising teachers, including those in schools and those who are supporting home learning, she asked people to “thank a teacher you know”.

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Others responding to the appeal range from NQTs to headteachers to senior educationalists.

Headteacher and author Vic Goddard, who featured in Channel 4s Educating Essex documentary, said: “I’m so thankful for education professionals all around the country that are managing to keep children in schools to allow their parents to go and work in the NHS. Their work is vital and their work can’t be done without your support.”

Sir David Carter, the former national schools commissioner, now executive director of system leadership at Ambition Institute, said: “What an amazing job our leaders, support staff, governors but especially teachers are doing. Thank You!”

As people across the nation clapped on their doorsteps in praise of NHS staff last week, Twitter users were  using the #clapforteachers hashtag, an idea highlighted by the Tes news team in the Tes weekly news podcast.