As the school year winds down and summer approaches, like many teachers you may be eagerly anticipating a well-deserved break from the demands of the classroom. However, for those considering the prospect of summer holiday work, the break doesn’t necessarily mean complete detachment from work and professional endeavours.

Importantly the summer is a time to unwind but engaging in summer holiday work offers a multitude of benefits, both personally and professionally. Oh, and you can also develop valuable skills that will add another string to your already incredible bow.

Here we list 5 arguments for seeking out professional experiences in the holiday period.

1 Professional Development Opportunities

Summer holiday work provides you with the chance to expand your professional horizons beyond that of the traditional classroom. Leading or supporting workshops, participating in conferences, pursuing further education, or working in summer schools, the break offers time for focused learning and skill enhancement. 

By engaging in such activities, you can stay updated on the latest educational trends, instructional methodologies, and technological advancements, ultimately enriching your teaching practices whilst cultivating a meaningful network of quality new relationships. It can also offer the prospect of teaching without the term time pressure of exams or mandated syllabuses. 

2 Supplement Your Income

Although rest and relaxation is important, for some teachers the summer holiday presents an opportunity supplement your income and this is especially relevant for supply teachers who don’t have full time contracts. This additional financial support can help alleviate any financial strains and provide capital for other personal and professional development activities. Whether it’s tutoring, content production, facilitating workshops, or taking on freelance writing/editing projects, you can leverage your expertise to generate supplementary income while enjoying flexibility in your summer schedule.

3 Upskilling & Skill Diversification

Although as a teacher you have a huge range of transferable skills, summer holiday work allows you to diversify your skill portfolio. Engaging in different activities such as curriculum development, educational consulting, or even pursuing creative and physical endeavours enables you to explore your interests and talents outside the confines of the classroom. Exposure to such experiences may enable you to develop new hard skills or simply invest time in the skills you enjoy using, enriching your professional journey whilst fostering personal growth and fulfilment.

4 Networking Opportunities

Participating in summer holiday work provides teachers with valuable networking opportunities. Although platforms like LinkedIn and X provide more possibilities than ever before to build networks, investing time in extracurricular work allows you to cultivate meaningful relationships. Whether it is collaborating with other educators, connecting with professionals in related fields, or engaging with community organisations, you can expand your network and engineer relationships that can enrich your career in the long run. 

Building relationships with people outside of your school may lead to further development opportunities and activities. You never know, the people who witness first- hand the values and skills that you possess might even offer you a job somewhere down the line!

5 Re-energise Yourself With New Experiences & Build Your Brand

Contrary to the misconception that summer holiday work may disrupt teachers’ well-deserved rest, engaging in productive activities during the break can actually contribute to a healthier work-life balance. 

By striking an equilibrium between relaxation and productive pursuits, you can prevent burnout, maintain intellectual stimulation, and return to the classroom rejuvenated and motivated for the upcoming academic year. Professionals featured in Education Supports webinar “Switching off over the summer: how to rest and recharge” discussed some people’s need to have structure during the summer months. You could for example chunk time up with some parts of the summer dedicated to following pursuits you love in the form of work or volunteering. 

You can also gain more experiences that you can use to enhance your job applications and bolster your CV helping to build your brand in a way that aligns with your career aspirations. 

Finally

In conclusion, summer holiday work such as that offered by Oxford Summer Courses offers teachers a valuable opportunity to invest in their professional development, supplement their income, diversify their skill set, expand their network, and achieve a healthier work-life balance. 

By embracing these opportunities, you can not only enhance your own careers but may also contribute to the continuous improvement of the education system as a whole. So, as the summer break approaches, you can explore the myriad possibilities that summer holiday work has to offer and seize the chance to grow, learn, and thrive beyond the confines of the classroom.

Diversifying your income doesn’t have to stop during term time, please read our blog How Using Other Career Pathways Can Enrich Your Teaching where we explore the benefits of extra-curricular work and volunteering.