Prime minister Boris Johnson has thanked teachers across the country for “all they have been doing” throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Johnson was visiting Sedgehill Academy in Lewisham, south-east London, from where he recorded a short video in which he says “there’s going to be an awful lot of testing” from 8 March when schools go back and that this is “vital”.

He said: “I’ve been talking to some of the teachers and some of the staff and some of the kids [here] who are preparing for schools to come back in just a few days’ time and it’s absolutely obvious to me that they are really, really keen to get back.”

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The best place for young people’s future, and for their wellbeing, is back in the classroom.

With regular testing, children can safely return to school from 8 March. pic.twitter.com/1TD7OSG8I8

- Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2021

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The video was posted on Twitter and received more than 800 comments in just five hours, including from @dimkimi, who said “How about you make sure all teachers are vaccinated then, plus their partners before March 8th?” 

How about you make sure all teachers are vaccinated then, plus their partners before March 8th? After suffering this unbearable lockdown, I don’t want my husband to bring home the virus.

- Lana (@dimkimi) February 24, 2021

And @BarryHunter1964 took the chance to highlight the teacher pay freeze. He said: “Teachers/support staff as well as a host of all other [sic] do the job they are paid to do because of 1 thing - they care. Whether that be shop workers to delivery drivers. What pains most is unfair or no wage increases to match the rise in inflation. Most are actually a pay cut. #misery”

Teachers/support staff as well as a host of all other do the job they are paid to do because of 1 thing,They care. Whether that be shop workers to delivery drivers. What pains most is unfair or no wage increases to match the rise in inflation. Most are actually a pay cut. #misery

- Bazza2764 (@BarryHunter1964) February 24, 2021

After posting the video, Mr Johnson commented on the thread, saying: “Thank you to the teachers and students at @SedgehillSch - and to schools all across the country - for all you have been doing throughout the pandemic.”