The Best Jobs To Fit Around School Hours in the UK
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Finding the right balance between work and personal life can be challenging, especially for parents juggling the demands of a job and raising a family. The best jobs to fit around school hours in the UK are the ones that offer the most flexibility with some sort of hybrid or work from home option.
Even with today’s shift towards working from home, it can still be challenging to find employers who offer the flexibility to accommodate family life around work.
I’ve searched the internet and found some great ideas. Let’s look at the best jobs to fit around school hours in the UK.
What Are UK School Hours?
UK school hours are usually between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm, but this varies depending on the school.
As a general rule, most schools require the children to be dropped off between 8:30 am and 9 am, with a pick-up time between 3 pm and 3:30 pm.
With these hours in mind, add the journey time from home to school, and you will have your ideal school-hour times, between which you will need your job.
Negotiate with Your Current Employer
Before looking for a new school hours job, you should explore whether your current employer could offer you a more flexible solution.
If you have a good relationship with your boss and have been at your company for a while, then it is definitely worthwhile to ask the question. Most employers would be willing to be flexible for a loyal employee.
This can be more flexible hours or a work-from-home alternative. Currently, the majority of the working population (54%) works in a part-time or flexible role, and 63% of full-time employees already work flexibly.
What Jobs Fit Around School Hours in the UK?
When looking for a job with flexible hours that fit around school times, your best bet is to look for an employer that offers hybrid working or work from home roles.
I often find tech startups can be more flexible and open to flexible times and hybrid working. The newer, more forward-thinking companies tend to be more accommodating to this style of working.
Rather than looking for a full-time role, you can also look for part-time jobs that fit the school hours you are working around. For example, you can look at retail, hospitality or beauty roles that may involve shift work.
Companies are more flexible than ever now, so jobs that fit around school hours are definitely easier to find.
The Best Jobs That Fit Around School Hours in the UK
Let’s get into the best jobs that fit around term time in the UK;
Teaching Assistant
Working in a school may seem like an obvious choice, but contrary to popular belief, most teachers work long hours and don’t just finish when the kids do! Having a teacher in the family, I’ve experienced this firsthand.
However, the best option would be a teaching assistant. Most teaching assistants are able to finish in time to collect the children from school.
You also benefit from the school holidays at the same time as your kids!
If you have the necessary skills, see what jobs are available at your local schools.
Healthcare Professions
Certain healthcare professions offer schedules that can accommodate school hours, making them attractive options for parents. Nursing, for example, provides a range of shift options, including part-time and flexible schedules.
Other roles, such as medical transcriptionists or billing specialists, may offer work from home opportunities, providing further flexibility for parents who need to fit their schedule around school hours.
Retail and Customer Service
Retail jobs are known for offering flexible work hours, making retail a viable option for those seeking employment that aligns with school schedules.
Whether in-store or online, customer service positions often come with part-time options, allowing parents to choose shifts that fit around school hours. With the increase in online shopping, customer service roles that can be performed remotely are also on the rise.
Childcare and Education Services
Working in childcare or educational services aligns with school hours and allows parents to leverage their understanding of children’s needs.
Roles such as childminders for babies, toddlers, or pre-schoolers can be ideal. Tutoring is also an option and could allow you to collect your own children while collecting the kids you are tutoring.
Administrative and Clerical Roles
Many administrative and clerical positions offer flexible working hours.
Roles such as administrative assistants, data entry clerks, or receptionists often have part-time options or flexible schedules that can be tailored to fit around school hours.
These positions are found in a variety of industries, providing versatility for parents with different skill sets.
Creative Arts and Entertainment
If you have a passion for the arts, pursuing a career in the creative sector can be both fulfilling and accommodating of flexible schedules.
It could be graphic design, photography, writing, performing arts, freelancing, or working on a project basis, which allows individuals to manage their time effectively and work around school hours.
Bar or Restaurant Work
If you love customer-facing roles, this is the perfect option.
Jobs are always available in bars or restaurants, as they usually have a high staff turnover. These roles are perfect as they are usually flexible with the shifts. For example, you could work the morning and lunch hour shifts.
Search local bars, pubs and restaurants to see what is available locally.
Cleaning
If you have an eye for cleanliness and detail and enjoy cleaning (some people genuinely do!), these jobs are flexible and a great fit around school hours.
Cleaning jobs might involve cleaning homes or businesses such as offices, hotels, or retail premises.
Freelance Beauty
You will need some experience or training for these jobs, but potential options include being a hairdresser, beauty therapist, nail technician, eyelash specialist, and more.
If you have the experience or have completed training, these roles can be very flexible, including setting your schedule or booking in clients around the school hours.
You can also work from home with these jobs or visit your customers’ homes.
Work From Home Jobs That Fit Around School Hours
Freelancing or Remote Work
There are so many freelance gigs out there that are flexible and allow you to work around school hours.
Look at popular freelancing sites like Fiverr, Upwork or PeoplePerHour and try matching your skills and knowledge with available freelancing gigs.
Blogger
Obviously, this is my favourite option on the list! 😉
Blogging will take time to get started and to build up an income, but it can be very lucrative if you are dedicated and put in the time and effort to make it work.
This is ideal if you are passionate about a subject or have certain knowledge and skills in a particular field. Some popular niches for bloggers are cooking/food, health and wellness, personal finance, and digital marketing.
If this interests you, check out my guide on How to Start a WordPress Blog on Bluehost.
Online Transcription
Online transcription jobs are perfect for flexible hours and working from home. Transcriptionists take audio and video content and turn it into readable content. You should be able to type efficiently and accurately to do transcription work.
You can find these jobs on sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Rev.
Dog Walker or Pet Sitting
If you love dogs, offering dog walking or a pet setting can be rewarding and fun. As a bonus, you also get some exercise at the same time! This option can fit perfectly into your schedule and around school hours.
This job can also become a long-term business if you build a good reputation in your local area.
You can find dog walking jobs locally by word of mouth, advertising your services on Facebook groups, or using a site such as Rover.
Selling Products Online
If you are creative and crafty, you could make many items to sell online or at local markets.
I have a friend who is skilled at woodwork and earns a great living selling his pieces on Etsy.
You can also sell products that you have purchased elsewhere. You can buy items at a discount or repurpose items to sell for a higher price.
The Best Jobs To Fit Around School Hours in the UK Tips
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when looking for the best jobs to fit around school hours;
- Flexibility is Key: When searching for a job that accommodates school hours in the UK, prioritise positions that offer flexibility. Look for roles that allow you to set your hours, work part-time, or offer remote options. This flexibility ensures that you can strike a balance between your work commitments and your child’s school schedule.
- Explore Remote and Freelance Opportunities: The rise of remote work and freelancing provides excellent opportunities for parents seeking flexibility. Explore jobs that can be done from home, allowing you to tailor your work hours around dropping off and picking up your child from school. Platforms like freelancing websites (see above) or remote job boards can be valuable resources.
- Consider School-related Roles: Certain jobs within the education sector naturally align with school hours. Explore opportunities such as teaching assistants, school administrative roles, or even part-time positions within educational support services. These roles fit well with school schedules and allow you to contribute to your child’s learning environment.
- Embrace Technology: Leverage technology to find jobs that offer flexibility. Consider roles that involve online communication, virtual collaboration, or digital platforms. This could include remote customer service, virtual assistance, or roles in the tech industry that allow for flexible working hours.
- Look into Job-sharing Opportunities: Job-sharing arrangements involve splitting a full-time position with another individual. This can be an excellent option for parents looking to balance work and family life. Explore industries or companies open to job-sharing arrangements, allowing you to share responsibilities with a colleague and create a schedule that suits both parties.
Remember, the best job to fit around school hours is one that meets your financial needs but also aligns with your skills and interests.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best job to fit around school hours in the UK involves thoughtful consideration of individual skills, interests, and the demands of the chosen job.
The key to success lies in aligning personal and professional goals, enabling you to navigate the delicate balance of career and family life while ensuring the best possible outcomes for both.
