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However, the move to provide recommendations to teachers has infuriated them, and the teaching union NASUWT, who view the move as unnecessary and highly insulting to teaching staff intelligence.

The code will apply to approximately 40,000 teachers, and follows consultation with members of the profession, according to the Welsh Teaching Council. However, the NASUWT Wales organiser Rex Phillips branded the guidance measures at odds with "a consultation process that revealed overwhelming opposition to its introduction". Phillips further explained that:

"They don't need the code, people know how to act – that's why we believe it is unnecessary."

The Code of Professional Conduct and Practice seeks to provide a comprehensive outline of the behaviour expected from teachers. They represent a revised set of principles originally laid out in January 2006.

While NASUWT – the only TUC-affiliated teachers' union representing teachers throughout the UK – opposes the "unnecessary" code, the GTCW have promoted the guidelines as being "for the benefits of parents, pupils, the wider public and the teaching profession itself". It appears that the recommendations are simply an update on already existing ones, altered in accordance with the growing penetration of social media in today's society.

It is not simply a case of keeping teachers in line, but also a means of protecting the professionalism and reputation of teaching staff. For many teachers, the main issue is that of pupils creating false rumours, or posting abusive comments regarding their tutors. Various stories of pupils hacking into the Facebook accounts of their teachers has resulted in an air of fear amongst the profession where social media is concerned. As we know, sensational stories can be a great SEO tactic for websites, but does not bode well for the undeserving subject.

In this respect, the code of conduct, though seen by many as a example of presumptuous and insulting dictation, could provide useful guidance on the behaviour of teachers and pupils alike, and offer a sense of reassurance to teachers reluctant to venture into the world of social media for fear of allegations of professional misconduct.