The couple read about the scheme in The TES in February while working as teaching assistants - at the same school, naturally - in Valencia, Spain. The article by Kathryn Kabra, training co-ordinator at Henry Maynard infants in Walthamstow in north-east London, one of the country’s 82 training schools, described how these institutions specialise in taking graduates to learn the craft of the classroom while getting paid as teaching assistants (pound;14,000-plus).

“That’s where we want to train,” they said, and so they applied. Two months into the qualification, they are still full of enthusiasm.

“We love working with kids because they are so refreshing and enthusiastic,”, says Joanne, 36. “And we love this school because everyone is so positive about helping us become good teachers.”

The Wilds’ story reverses the trend for people in early middle age to escape the rat race. They set off to find their fortunes in Spain 10 years ago after their off-licence business in Plymouth failed. They settled in a house with no electricity off the beaten track. But their appetite for teaching was whetted when they worked at an English-speaking school for Spaniards.

“The Spanish children were immersed in English and were so eager and wanted to learn that work became a pleasure,” says Marcus, 39. The Wilds quickly decided that they wanted to become teachers and the school’s owner paid for them to study with the Open University. They repaid her with eight years’

service before moving on two years ago. Then, in September, they came back to England to start their training.

“We’re just so lucky to have this opportunity,” says Marcus. “Who wouldn’t give their right arm to have a year working side by side with professionals who you can watch at work and who can offer you so much advice about the job? It’s invaluable.”

According to Kathryn Kabra, the Wilds are well on course to qualify next year. And when they do, as Marcus says, “There’s a big bunch of flowers going to be on their way to a lovely lady in Valencia.”