Teacher took pay cut but enjoyed 13 trips last year with 'extreme day tripping'

A West Midlands teacher has shared her secret to embarking on 13 trips abroad within a year, despite taking a significant pay cut. Claire Howard from Solihull , who stepped down from her deputy head of sixth form role found a new lease of life by travelling extensively. "I went back to being an English teacher and on four days," said the 47 year old, explaining her decision to reduce her workload.

"I thought, I'm not just going to spend my Tuesday at home cleaning." After a birthday day-trip to Dublin opened her eyes to the possibilities, Claire became hooked on 'extreme day trips' – short, budget-friendly adventures starting from local airports like Birmingham Airport, often completed over just 24 hours, reports Birmingham Live . READ MORE: Coventry café hit with one-star hygiene rating urged to make 'major improvements' Claire said: "A friend of mine took me to Dublin for the day for my birthday and doing that and realising how doable it was I saw the extreme day trip groups and joined that.

I set myself a target to do 12 trips in 12 months and I did 13. You become addicted!" she enthused in her chat with BirminghamLive. Despite earning around £400 less each month, Claire's savvy budgeting allowed her to fund her travels in 2024.

She added: "Including dropping my responsibility as deputy head of sixth form and dropping down to 4 days a week I took around a £400 a month pay cut. I want to be clear I love teaching. I also loved being deputy head of sixth form, but my mi.