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When school’s out for summer, some supply teachers seek other opportunities. Whether you’d like to earn a bit of extra cash or simply enhance your CV with exciting volunteering experiences, we have plenty of ideas.

1. Ask your recruitment agency

Your first port of call should be your teaching agency. Let them know you’re interested in working during the school holidays and you might be surprised at what they can offer you.

2. Teach English as a foreign language abroad

Itchy feet? Consider a working holiday. Spend the summer months teaching English and making friends in Vietnam, Italy, Japan… the possibilities are endless. Free accommodation and meals are often included on top of your pay. Find out more: try an internet search for opportunities in your preferred destination or check out TEFL summer camp jobs.

3. Teach English as a foreign language in the UK

If you prefer to stick closer to home, there are also opportunities to teach English as a foreign language right here in the UK. Find out more: TEFL summer camp jobs, OISE Young Learners, Oxford International Juniors

4. Exam marking

Time invested in marking A-Level and GCSE exam papers before the holidays can earn you some extra money for the summer break. Search vacancies: AQA, Pearson

5. Playschemes

It’s worth investigating if there are any playschemes running over the summer holidays for children in your area. Find out more: try an internet search or contact your local authority

6. Tutoring

Share the benefit of your expertise by offering private tuition. Summer won’t be the busiest period, but it can be a good time to get established. Find students by asking around, advertising locally or joining a reputable agency.

7. Summer schools and camps

There are hundreds of summer schools across the UK and beyond – you could find yourself painting in Greece or playing tennis in Leeds! Browse the Summer Schools Directory and contact individual establishments for vacancies or try Super Camps or Camp America.

8. Work for the Queen

Every summer, Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms to the public and hires temporary staff to help the season run smoothly. It could make an interesting addition to your CV! Find out more: Buckingham Palace summer jobs

9. Steward at a music festival with Oxfam

Missed out on festival tickets this year? Join Oxfam’s army of volunteers who answer questions, check wristbands and keep an eye out for safety issues at the UK’s summer music festivals. It’s unpaid but you’re promised meal tickets, unlimited caffeine, hot showers and the chance to catch your favourite bands in between shifts. Learn more: Oxfam stewarding

10. House and/or pet sitting

Lots of people need someone to look after their house and/or pets while they’re on summer holidays. So, if you’ve always wanted a pad with a swimming pool, mountain view or even its own herd of llamas, house sitting is one way of getting it (temporarily, at least). Advertise your services and browse opportunities: Trusted House Sitters

11. Outdoor activity instructor

If you’re the outdoorsy type, consider working at an activity centre. Some companies will require a level of experience, whereas others will take you on and train you up if you’re super keen and capable. Find out more: try an internet search for vacancies in your area or have a search for summer jobs on Outdoor Staff

12. Work at big summer events

Many big cultural and sporting events happen in the summertime and they can be a good source of short-term work in areas like bars, box offices, catering, stewarding, labouring and PR. Try an internet search to find vacancies near you.

Useful links

• Learn how to keep your tax affairs in order when you take on a second job
• Remember, you can ask us to save up your holiday pay and pay it to you over the summer

Quick note – we can’t vouch for any of the websites or organisations listed here. We advise you to do your own research before accepting a summer job.