Every profession has a most hated question or remark that gets uttered as the small talk and pineapple-and-cheese sticks circulate at parties. FErret, for example, is heartily sick of explaining what he does with all the money from being a top columnist.

Those in education, on the other hand, have to put up with the inevitable smirking idiot who says: “Those who can’t do, teach” as if the thought just leapt from his brain like Athena from the forehead of Zeus.

Well, now it’s official, thanks to Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s efforts to lure people into teaching in FE, a task that is either admirable and necessary or just more proof of the maxim that misery loves company.

Michael Winfield, curriculum leader for teacher training, said: “A lot of people worry that they don’t have enough qualifications to join the teacher training course.

“In fact, you don’t need any previous experience or qualifications, all we want are individuals with an enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to learn.”

This goes somewhat further than other colleges offering the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector course, who mostly would like at least a level 2 in English just to ensure you can speak to your students.

Of course, when you put it like that, it is much easier to see the attraction of having no qualifications, and existing lecturers might like to adopt some of these new tactics. “No comprendo, Leona.”