THERE are some jobs where the stress levels are prone to rising at key points of the week, and there are jobs where stress appears to be at breaking point all of the time.

One of the professions where that pressure is highest appears to be the teaching profession, if the numbers of heads and teachers currently off sick through stress-related illness is to be believed.

While some industries can and do cope with being shortstaffed, education should not be one of them, not when the future of the young people schools are charged with educating is concerned.

This is why the new buddy system being introduced by secondary heads across the county is such a good idea.

It is good that the very people whose number is being decimated by the burden of their job are banding together to do something about it. It is just a shame that it has taken so long to get off the ground.

The idea that an experienced head can provide support and advice for a new colleague is sound.

We believe this should also be extended to primary school heads, where the pressures to cope with more and more pupils on less and less money are just as intense.

We trust Wiltshire County Council will be monitoring this scheme and ensuring everything is done to support it.