Just when you thought that everybody had had their say on the role people in teaching jobs across London and the rest of the UK should be playing, the royals have weighed in.

The Duke of York believes the British school system has become too caught up in teaching to exams and higher education and as such youngsters are automatically being channelled towards university and not industry.

Speaking to a conference of newspaper editors on Monday (April 7th), Prince Andrew said those with degrees were self-perpetuating the degree-for-all culture, expressing similar sentiments to the business secretary Vince Cable who argued most teachers lack experience as they go from school to university and back to school again.

The Duke of York said it was crucial that schools and teachers gave young people life skills as well as education, stating there needs to be a better dynamic between school and work.

"It isn't obligatory to go to university early," he said. "We have to encourage those in education to think of other pathways."

He urged those attending the Society of Editors' regional conference on the outskirts of Birmingham to play their part and encourage more small and medium-sized companies to take on young apprentices straight from school, arguing that their youth and enthusiasm could inspire businesses further. 

"Only through this experience can you provide what is wanted by young people and what the business need," he said.

Are teachers in a lose-lose situation? The most recent exam reforms and curriculum changes have been geared towards improving students' grades and making sure the UK doesn't fall further behind other world-class education systems in countries such as China. How can schools and teachers give more vocational support to their pupils if there is so much emphasis on exam results and league tables? 

Let us know if you have any ideas on how to please everybody.