Best Summer Jobs for Teachers

The school summer holidays sound like six weeks of rest, but for many teachers that's a lot of unstructured time and a welcome chance to top up the bank balance before September. That's why summer job opportunities for teachers have become so popular, whether it's an online side hustle or hands-on seasonal work. This guide walks through 12 realistic summer jobs for teachers, split between online and in-person options, with honest earnings estimates for each so you can weigh up what fits your summer best.

Why look for a summer job as a teacher?

Six weeks off sounds like the dream, but that's a lot of days to fill once lesson planning and marking are done. Many teachers use the break to earn extra income, try something new, or build a skill that carries back into the classroom. Weighing up the right summer job opportunities for teachers comes down to finding something flexible enough to still leave room for genuine rest, whether that's one steady role or a mix of smaller ones.

• Extra income before the new school year, since summer often brings its own costs, holidays, days out, childcare gaps, while regular pay pauses; a summer role helps cover that gap and gives a head start financially before September's fresh expenses land,
• A change of pace from the classroom, whether that's outdoor work like a summer camp, a fully remote role from home, or something completely unrelated to teaching that offers a genuine mental reset before term starts again,
• A chance to build transferable skills, from tutoring and curriculum consulting to admin, writing, or customer-facing work; many of these roles add real experience to a CV and can open up steady side income beyond just the summer months,
• A straightforward way to top up earnings, for teachers who simply want a bit of extra money over the break without a bigger career motive; even a few flexible hours a week can make a meaningful difference by the time September arrives.

Online summer job opportunities for teachers

Online roles are popular among teachers because they need no commute, fit around other summer plans, and can often be picked up or paused as needed.

Private tutoring (Online or In-Person)

Private tutoring is one of the most natural summer job opportunities for teachers to opt for, since it draws directly on existing subject expertise and classroom experience. Parents often want their children to stay academically engaged over the holidays, whether that's catching up, staying ahead, or simply keeping a subject fresh, and summer is a popular time to book extra sessions.

Tutoring can be done in person or online, and platforms like GoStudent handle matching, scheduling, and payments, which removes a lot of the admin that comes with finding students independently. Sessions are usually one-to-one, which suits teachers who enjoy more personalised, focused teaching without a full classroom to manage. It's flexible by nature, sessions can be booked around other summer plans, and hours can be scaled up or down from week to week depending on availability.

Requirements

• Subject expertise in the area being tutored,
• Experience teaching or explaining concepts one-to-one,
• A quiet space (for online sessions) or ability to travel (for in-person sessions),
• A DBS check (typically required by tutoring platforms and agencies),
• Reliable availability for scheduled sessions each week.

How much you could earn

Based on GoStudent's published tutor pricing, hourly rates rise with lesson volume rather than staying fixed, so a busier summer schedule pays proportionally more per hour, not just in total:

• A teacher tutoring around 10 lessons a week over the summer could expect to earn in the region of £620 a month,

• stepping that up to 20 lessons a week moves earnings closer to £1,240 a month,

• Teachers with more time to give, around 30 to 40 lessons a week, could see monthly earnings rise to somewhere between £1,860 and £2,480, depending on subject and demand.

Figures based on GoStudent's published tutor earnings estimates; actual earnings depend on subject, lesson volume, and student demand.

Teaching English online (ESL)

Teaching English as a second language online is one of the most established summer jobs for teachers, and it plays directly to existing classroom skills. Students can be based anywhere in the world, and lessons are usually delivered through a webcam, a headset, and a stable internet connection. It's popular precisely because of its flexibility, early risers can take morning students, night owls can teach evening slots, and hours can flex around holidays or family commitments. It also suits teachers who want to keep their language or subject skills sharp without a daily commute. Many platforms provide lesson materials and a structured curriculum, so there's less prep work than a typical school term. For a qualified teacher, it's a natural extension of existing skills into a flexible, remote-first summer role.

Requirements

• A reliable computer, webcam, headset and stable internet connection,
• Qualified Teacher Status or a recognised TEFL/TESOL certificate (requirements vary by platform),
• A quiet, well-lit space suitable for video calls,
• Comfort with a webcam-based, one-to-one or small-group teaching format,
• Flexibility to work around different time zones if teaching international students.

How much you could earn

Estimates compiled from UK job and salary data for online English teaching roles; actual pay depends on the platform, student age group, and demand.

Virtual assistant work

Virtual assistant work suits organised teachers who enjoy admin and want a fully remote summer job. The role typically involves supporting a small business owner or entrepreneur with day-to-day tasks rather than teaching. Duties commonly include managing inboxes, scheduling calls, booking travel, preparing documents, or handling simple data entry. Because it's entirely computer-based, it can be done from home, from a holiday cottage, or anywhere with decent Wi-Fi, which appeals to teachers wanting summer flexibility. It also draws on skills teachers already use daily: multitasking, clear written communication, and staying calm under a full to-do list. Clients are often found through freelance platforms or word of mouth, and workloads can usually be scaled up or down depending on how much time is available that particular week.

Requirements

• Strong organisational and time-management skills,
• Confident written and verbal communication,
• Comfort with everyday software (email, calendars, spreadsheets, video calls),
• A laptop and reliable internet connection,
• Willingness to work flexibly around a client's schedule.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on UK freelance virtual assistant rate data; actual pay depends on client type, task complexity, and experience.

Freelance writing, editing and proofreading

Teachers spend the school year marking essays, writing reports, and giving detailed feedback, all skills that transfer neatly into freelance writing and editing work. This is a genuinely flexible summer job opportunity for teachers who enjoy language and want to work in short, self-contained bursts rather than committing to fixed hours. Work is usually found through freelance marketplaces or direct outreach to small businesses, blogs, or students needing proofreading help. It's not the highest-paying option on this list, but it can be picked up and put down easily around holidays, family time, or a second summer job. It also builds a portfolio that can be useful well beyond the summer months, particularly for teachers who enjoy writing lesson content or educational resources.

Requirements

• Strong command of grammar, spelling and written style,
• Attention to detail and consistency,
• A laptop and internet connection,
• A sample portfolio or writing samples to share with potential clients,
• Comfort setting and negotiating freelance rates.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on UK freelance marketplace listings; actual pay varies with client budget, subject complexity and turnaround time.

Creating and selling online teaching resources

Many teachers already build worksheets, lesson plans, and revision materials during term time, resources that can be packaged up and sold on educational marketplaces over the summer. This turns existing teaching prep work into a passive-ish income stream, since materials can keep selling long after they're uploaded. It's a summer job for teachers that fits around any schedule since resources can be built in short sessions whenever time allows. Popular resource types include revision guides, worksheet packs, quiz templates, and subject-specific bundles for common exam boards. It takes some upfront time investment to design and format materials well, but there's no fixed schedule and no client calls to manage, which appeals to teachers who want a quieter, more independent summer project.

Requirements

• Existing lesson materials or the willingness to create new ones,
• Basic design or formatting skills (templates and design tools can help),
• An account on an educational resource marketplace,
• Time to research what similar resources are already selling well,
• Patience, since income typically builds gradually rather than instantly.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical earnings reported by sellers on UK teaching resource marketplaces; income varies widely by subject demand and resource quality.

Online exam marking and invigilating

Exam boards recruit thousands of markers each summer, and it's one of the more natural summer job opportunities for teachers since subject knowledge is already there. Marking is usually done remotely on a laptop, following detailed mark schemes, and can be fitted around other commitments once training is complete. It suits teachers who prefer structured, deadline-driven work over open-ended freelancing. Training is provided by the exam board and is typically unpaid or paid at a lower rate, with marking proper starting once accreditation is complete. It's seasonal by nature, running roughly from May to July, which lines up neatly with the start of the school holidays. Reliability and accuracy matter more than speed at first, since new markers are closely monitored for quality.

Requirements

• Subject knowledge relevant to the exam board and paper,
• Completion of the exam board's marker training and standardisation process,
• A reliable computer and internet connection,
• Strong attention to detail and consistency when applying mark schemes,
• Availability during the marking window (typically May to July).

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical UK exam board marker pay structures; exact rates vary by exam board, subject, and marker experience.

Freelance curriculum and lesson-plan consulting

Some teachers use the summer to consult on curriculum design or lesson planning for schools, tutoring companies, or edtech businesses. This is a more specialised summer job for teachers, better suited to those with a few years of experience or a subject specialism, but it pays well for the time invested. Work might involve writing a scheme of work, reviewing existing curriculum materials, or advising a smaller organisation that doesn't have in-house teaching expertise. Projects are usually short-term and clearly scoped, which makes it easy to take on one or two over the summer without an ongoing commitment. It's a good option for teachers who enjoy the planning side of the job more than day-to-day classroom delivery, and it can lead to repeat or referral work in future years.

Requirements

• Several years of classroom or curriculum design experience,
• A strong grasp of relevant exam board or curriculum standards,
• Ability to work independently on a defined project brief,
• A portfolio of past lesson plans or schemes of work, where possible,
• Comfort quoting and negotiating project-based freelance rates.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical UK freelance education consulting rates; actual fees depend on project scope and client type.

In-person teaching opportunities for teachers

For teachers who'd rather be out of the house, these in-person summer jobs offer a change of pace while still making use of teaching skills, or a total break from the classroom altogether.

Summer camp teaching

Summer camps are one of the most popular outdoor summer job opportunities for teachers, combining fresh air with the chance to teach new skills in a much less formal setting than a classroom. Camps run around specific themes, from watersports and drama to adventure activities and academic enrichment, so there's usually a good match for most subject backgrounds and interests. It's especially appealing to teachers who enjoy the pastoral side of the job, building relationships and confidence, without the pressure of exams or formal assessment. Many camps also welcome teachers with less experience of a specific younger age group, since classroom management skills transfer well regardless of the activity. Hours can be intensive during residential camps, but day camps often offer more predictable, term-time-style hours.

Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people,
• An enhanced DBS check (usually arranged by the camp provider),
• First aid training (often provided or required before starting),
• Enthusiasm for a specific activity area, if applying to a themed camp,
• Flexibility for early starts, residential stays, or irregular hours during peak weeks.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical UK summer camp job listings; residential roles often include free accommodation and meals as part of the package.

School holiday clubs and activity programmes

Holiday clubs run throughout the summer for parents who need childcare during term breaks, and they're a steady source of summer jobs for teachers looking for something local and familiar. Activities usually include sports, arts and crafts, games, and structured group sessions, often for primary-aged children. It's a natural fit for teachers already used to managing groups of children through a structured daily timetable. Unlike residential camps, holiday clubs are typically day-based, so hours tend to mirror a normal working day rather than requiring overnight stays. Many are run by local councils, sports providers, or private childcare companies, and hiring often ramps up from May onwards. It's a reliable option for teachers who want consistent, local, daytime work without much disruption to family life over the summer.

Requirements

• Experience working with children in a group setting,
• An enhanced DBS check,
• A relevant qualification (such as a sports coaching or childcare certificate) for some roles,
• Physical stamina for active, outdoor-based sessions,
• Reliable availability across the specific weeks the club runs.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical UK holiday club and activity provider job listings.

Hospitality work

Hospitality is one of the most widely available summer jobs for teachers, particularly in tourist towns, coastal areas, or busy city centres where demand for temporary staff peaks over summer. Roles range from bar and café work to waiting tables or hotel front-of-house positions, and most venues are actively hiring from spring onwards to cover the season. It's a good option for teachers who want a complete change of pace from teaching, with no lesson planning, marking, or pastoral responsibility to think about after the shift ends. Tips can meaningfully boost base pay in busy tourist areas, and shift patterns are often flexible enough to combine with another summer commitment. It's also a sociable option, well suited to teachers who enjoy being around people without the classroom dynamic.

Requirements

• Previous hospitality or customer-facing experience (preferred but not always required),
• Availability for evening, weekend, and peak-season shifts,
• Comfort working on your feet for extended periods,
• Basic food hygiene awareness (training often provided on the job),
• A friendly, service-oriented manner under pressure.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on current UK hospitality job listings; tips and service charge can add meaningfully to base pay in busy areas.

Rideshare or delivery driving

Rideshare and delivery driving offer one of the most flexible summer job opportunities for teachers, since hours can be picked up or dropped entirely at will, with no fixed shifts or rota to commit to. It suits teachers who want to earn around other plans, holidays, or a second summer job, since the app-based model means work can be logged in for an hour or a full day depending on what's needed that week. There's no interview process beyond the standard driver checks, and earnings are usually paid out quickly. It won't appeal to everyone, since income depends heavily on demand, fuel costs, and vehicle wear, but for teachers with their own car and some spare hours, it's a low-commitment way to top up summer income.

Requirements

• A full, valid UK driving licence (minimum time held varies by platform),
• Your own roadworthy vehicle meeting the platform's age and condition requirements,
• A satisfactory background and driving record check,
• Comprehensive insurance covering private hire or delivery use,
• A smartphone for the driver app.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on typical UK rideshare and delivery driver earnings; fuel, vehicle costs and platform fees reduce take-home pay.

Retail or seasonal event staff

Retail and event staffing ramp up significantly over summer, from seasonal shop assistants to festival and stadium event crews, making it one of the more accessible summer jobs for teachers looking for short-term, structured shifts. Retailers often need extra cover during the summer sales period, while festivals, sporting events, and outdoor concerts recruit large temporary teams for just a few weeks at a time. It suits teachers who want fixed, predictable shifts rather than open-ended freelance work, and many roles are advertised well in advance for the peak summer season. It's rarely the highest-paying option, but it's easy to get started quickly, requires no specialist qualifications, and can be a fun, sociable way to spend part of the summer outside the usual routine.

Requirements

• Availability for shift-based work, including weekends,
• Comfort working in fast-paced, customer-facing environments,
• Physical stamina for standing, lifting or moving stock,
• No formal qualifications typically required, though experience helps,
• A right to work in the UK, as with any employed role.

How much you could earn

Estimates based on current UK seasonal retail and event staffing job listings.

What's the highest-paying summer job for teachers?

Looking across all 12 options, earnings vary considerably depending on hours, experience, and how much admin or client-finding is involved. Here are some details to take note of:

• Hourly value doesn't tell the whole story, a job with a lower hourly rate but more available hours, like hospitality or holiday clubs, can outearn a higher-rate option with limited weekly capacity, like exam marking,
• Flexibility often trades off against ceiling, the most flexible options (freelance writing, rideshare driving, selling resources) are easy to start and stop, but tend to cap out lower than roles built around booked, recurring hours,
• Private tutoring combines both, it's one of the few options here where earnings scale with hours worked at a genuinely high rate, without sacrificing the flexibility to fit lessons around the rest of the summer.

What is the best summer job for teachers?

🥇 Private tutoring

Tutoring makes the strongest overall case among these summer job opportunities for teachers: it draws directly on existing subject expertise, pays well relative to the hours involved, and scales up or down around whatever else is happening that summer. Because platforms like GoStudent handle matching, scheduling and payments, there's little of the admin that usually comes with finding and managing private students independently. It also keeps teaching skills sharp for September, without the classroom-sized workload.

🥈 Teaching English online (ESL)

For teachers who want a fully remote option with genuinely global flexibility, ESL teaching is hard to beat. Time zones can be worked around personal schedules, materials are often provided, and there's a large pool of platforms to choose from. It's a natural extension of existing teaching skills into a lower-prep, higher-flexibility format.

🥉 Summer camp teaching

For teachers who'd rather be outdoors and away from a screen, summer camp work offers a genuinely different pace while still using core classroom management skills. It's less about earnings ceiling and more about variety, fresh air, and a summer that feels distinct from the school term.

Across all 12 options covered here, the best summer jobs for teachers are the ones that match your energy levels and summer plans, whether that's becoming a tutor, picking up a seasonal role, or building something flexible from home.