But most support relating salaries to assessments of their skill, ability and effort.

The findings come as ministers prepare to implement reforms of the teaching profession in England.

A key element of the government's consultative Green Paper is the issue of performance-related pay - both in terms of teacher assessment and pupil results.

Nigel de Gruchy: "The majority of teachers are willing to back sensible reforms"

The survey, carried out by the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), found that 73% disagreed with linking payments to pupil performance. Just 17% agreed with payment by results.

However, 57% agreed with linking salaries to appraisals carried out by headteachers, while 31% were opposed.

There was also strong opposition to a number of other proposals, including whole-school performance bonuses based on test and exam results (76% disagreed with this) and the "fast-tracking" of bright graduates onto higher salaries (54% were opposed).

But 76% agreed with proposals to test the skills of trainee teachers in the areas of reading, writing, arithmetic and new technology.

The General Secretary of the NASUWT, Nigel de Gruchy, said the survey showed that the government would have great difficulty implementing all of the proposed reforms.

"The survey shows that the profession remains open to new ideas and is prepared to back sensible reforms.

"If the government heeds the view of teachers, there is a clear and constructive way forward."

The NASUWT interviewed 1,009 teachers for the survey.