-Ralph-

The common misconception is that it's one big holiday, so actually I'd think most teachers had no idea what they were getting into. My wife certainly didn't. She wanted a career change and thought it would be nice to start and finish work at the same time as my son starts and finishes school (wrong!), and to be with him during the school holidays (OK, that bit is good).

I question how many teachers, if they knew what they were getting into, would have done it?

I don't mind revealing my wife's salary, she is paid out of the public purse, so as soon as you tell anyone she's just completed her NQT, a quick google will tell you the answer. I won't reveal how many times you need to multiply her salary to get to mine though, I'll leave that to your imagination, but she works just as hard as me.

It's definitely a vocation.

My wife's school has moved the teacher training day to tomorrow, she is in the NUT, but if she strikes she misses her training.