I was in Higher Education - Senior Lecturer in Law at one of the "new Universities" - former Polytechnics.

All the fun went out of teaching. You can find 2:1 degrees in a Lucky Bag, today.

'They' did a trawl for early retirement.

I couldn't get me hand up quick enough.

Today, I get paid for two loves - gardening and Law, so, whatever else it might be, it can't be work.

When I first went into Academe, students would ask 'How do I get into HE Teaching ?', and I'd advise them. Towards the end, they got a one-word answer - 'DON'T'.

On my experience alone, there is life after teaching - and a bloody sight a better one than in Education. Good luck. Follow your dream.