He was noticed for his teaching career

It is a fact that he was noticed for his teaching career. Blair began teaching at The Hawthorns High School, a boys' school in Hayes, West London, in April 1932. This was a small private school for the children of local tradesmen and shopkeepers, with just 14 or 16 boys aged 10 to sixteen and one additional masters. During his time at school, he became acquainted with the curate of the local parish church and became interested in its activities. Mabel Fierz pursued proceedings with Moore, and at the end of June 1932, Moore informed Blair that Victor Gollancz was willing to publish A Scullion's Diary for a £40 advance through his newly established publishing business, Victor Gollancz Ltd, which was an outlet for radical and socialist works.

Blair left Hawthorns in mid-1933 to teach at Frays College in Uxbridge, west London. This was a much larger enterprise, with 200 students and a full complement of staff. He bought a motorcycle and began riding it throughout the countryside. On one of these outings, he got wet and had a chill, which turned into pneumonia. He was transferred to a cottage hospital in Uxbridge, where his life was thought to be in jeopardy for a time. When he was discharged from the army in January 1934, he returned to Southwold to recuperate and, with the backing of his parents, never returned to teaching.