After a term teaching at Sturry Primary, John secured a post as Junior Physics teacher at Taunton Grammar school in Southampton. After 3 years, John moved to Sevenoaks School and the family moved into a flat belonging to the school in Red Lodge. After a further 3 years and having learned to sail, John moved to a post at Bushey Grammar school in Watford, Sheila also taught at Bushey Technical school and at A school in Ruislip. Soon after Helen was born John applied for and got, the Senior Science post at Kent College Canterbury