Best to take out life assurance, with each spouse insuring the other. Hubby insures wife and wife insures hubby. That way, in the event of a death, the money goes straight to survivor and is NOT part of the estate.
If teacher is paying into the widows and orphans, then there is a benefit to widow and orphans in the event of a death.
If teacher has the salary protection scheme, it provides a death benefit.
You'll do better if you take out straight term life assurance. Term means that the policy is valid for a defined period of years.
LABrokers, often on this site, do fantastic deals. I have no interest in them, save that I have taken out policies through them!