Freelance teaching vs contract - all you need to know

Freelance work - freedom or burden?

Working as a freelancer essentially means running your own business. So while you call all the shots and can choose where and when you work (and set your own fees), it also means you have substantial responsibilities that come with running your own small company. It’s up to you to ensure that the company is set up in accordance with official guidelines and to keep up with appropriate paperwork, admin, accounting and legal obligations. It will be your responsibility to find new work, build relationships with teaching establishments, market your services, review contracts and carry out your actual teaching work.

However, it’s well known that freelance work potentially pays better than contract work, which in turn is more highly paid than full time, permanent employment. Although freelance and contract work will not include sick pay and pension benefits.

Contract work - fertile middle ground?

While personal responsibility is high for freelance work, contracting takes the pressure off and allows you to focus on your passion - teaching and inspiring students - and enables you to pick and choose work to fit in with family, health and other commitments. 

Taking contract work through an agency means that marketing and administration will be taken care of, while income tax and National Insurance will be deducted at source via PAYE (if you work with T15 International), so the money you receive is not subject to any further deductions.

Finding (and securing) exciting new work

As a freelancer there’s a high possibility that you’ll spend a considerable amount of time lining up your next job in order to achieve a consistent income. At times this will interrupt your current work and can become stressful.

With contract work, however, your consultant will be in touch before your contract ends so that you can discuss new opportunities. It is in your consultant’s interest to find you these opportunities, so they’ll do all the hard work while you focus on teaching.

Freelance vs. contract - which is right for you?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to exactly what you want from a job. It’s worth weighing up all the pros and cons before you step away from your permanent job so that you make the right decision for your personal situation and career goals.

If you love the idea of running your own business and spending time marketing your services appeals to you, then freelancing will suit you. If you’d rather not have to worry about these things, but still want the variety that temporary jobs can bring, then contract work through an agency will be your best option.

If contract teaching work sounds like your next step, then get in touch with our expert education recruitment specialists today.