I want to become a teacher because... I used to be a university lecturer before I raised a family. I enjoyed teaching and felt it was something I would like to go back to.

My biggest inspiration at school was... my music teacher, simply because of his enthusiasm for the subject and his apparent love of teaching.

The most exciting thing that’s happened to me so far is... going to Combe Abbey with Year 7. We made huts out of sticks and had a lot of fun. I felt I really got an understanding with the kids.

I can’t wait... to be able to teach properly - a whole lesson. I just want to get started more than anything.

But I’m dreading... losing my cool with a bunch of Year 10s and not being as calm as I should be. It’s something that does worry me, but, hopefully, it won’t be a problem.

I would like my first job to be in... in a secondary school. Preferably I’d like it to be in Coventry, having moved from Glasgow not long ago. I don’t think I could face moving my family again.

I’ll know I’m a teacher when... I can see the pupils have learnt something and when I’ve made an impact on their lives and given them something new to learn.

If I wasn’t going into teaching I’d be... probably a full-time mum or working as an optometrist, which I used to do.

This evening I’m... listening to my kids reading, getting their packed lunches ready and maybe even seeing my husband at some point in the night.

If I were Ruth Kelly I would... look seriously again at the Tomlinson report into 14 to 19-year-olds’ education. I would take on board some of the ideas that have been shelved or not considered.