extra-curricular extra cash

Outside of the school, there's plenty of scope for the extra cash for that nice little holiday you've always dreamed of.

No teacher ever joined the profession to become rich, unless they were unable to read the large print on their pay and conditions document. So it is often necessary to supplement your income through extra-curricular activities.

Every teacher has many transferable skills that can be put to good use in a number of areasWhen I was a university student 30 years ago I was surprised how many serving teachers were working with me during the summer holidays at a local frozen food factory. Indeed, in my first summer of teaching I followed their example and enhanced my spending power quite considerably.

In spite of the Threshold and PRP the need for teachers to supplement their incomes continues, particularly for those who have to find expensive accommodation in the south-east or, like me, are faced with three successive sets of university fees over the next few years.

So many opportunities out there
The good news is that there are many more opportunities to earn cash outside of the normal working day, as long as the increased burdens of the job have not rendered you incapable of standing up or holding a coherent conversation.

Private tuition has always been a nice little earner and a way of cashing in on your expertise. It also gives teachers a rare opportunity to experience teaching small groups or even one to one. In this statistically driven age, teachers of core subjects can be much in demand to boost the capability of various little darlings up to and beyond their KS average score in English, maths and science.

Amusingly, when children do not perform adequately in their local comprehensive school, some parents rush to engage a private tutor, usually a teachers from another local comprehensive. This can only be good news for moonlighters who know only too well that small class teaching is a key factor in improving performance.

Private lessons can often be acquired by networking with parents in your own school, particularly as exam times approach. Modern language teachers can often benefit in this way to help students prepare for oral and listening tests as well as widening their vocabulary.

Many agencies specialise in supplying tutors for particular subjects and age groups. Go to a search engine like Google and search for private tuition UK. One site I found is Private Tuition & Tutoring throughout the UK, which is very clear and specific about the quality of tutors it requires. Pay per hour for primary through to A level work is between £12 and £18 plus any reasonable travel expenses. You could also try Tutors Online.

Examination boards
Another obvious activity that can contribute to your holiday fund is working for an examination board either as an assistant examiner, writer or moderator. A marker will be paid per script, plus any expenses such as travel to exam board meetings. There is usually a minimum number of scripts you must take on when working as an assistant examiner.

On the websites of each exam board there should be a link to a page where jobs are advertised and downloadable application forms are available (Edexel, for example). Working for an exam board will not only enhance your understanding of the relevant syllabuses and marking procedures but also make a noble contribution to the wider educational universe. As well as looking good on your CV.

New educational initiatives come rolling off the DfES production line so quickly that there is always an area of expertise to be cornered if you are sharp. If your job requires you to become familiar with a new initiative very quickly (for example, NOF ICT Training for teachers or literacy) you may find that your knowledge is in demand from online teacher websites, training consultancies, teacher-training establishments or even within your own LEA.

Funding initiatives for summer schools, homework clubs and extra-curricular activities through the DfES or NOF have provided other opportunities for teachers to earn a few pennies in their alleged spare-time. So find out who holds the budgets for these activities in your school and try to muscle in.

Look outside teaching
Many of my colleagues, past and present, have found a variety of ways to supplement their incomes during the holiday periods, some of which I can mention here without fear of litigation. One colleague started his own pine furniture business, while others became tour guides, furniture removers or football coaches in the USA.

For most of us, any hope of financial salvation rests either with the organiser of the staffroom, lottery syndicate or an appearance on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

As for me, I don't think I could put up with the humiliation of failing to reach the £1,000 question so I'll settle for occasional contributions to this website but still consider any other reasonable offers that come my way.

Dave Bridges is assistant headteacher at Harrow High School. He is ICT co-ordinator and has responsibility for the timetable, co-ordination of school trips and the calendar. He has an MA in education covering management, research methods and mentoring in initial teacher training.