Big players

• State schools - local authorities (LAs) are responsible for employing the majority of teachers, administrative and learning support staff in the state school system. In schools that are funded or aided by the state but not directly controlled by LAs, such as academies, Free Schools, city technology colleges, foundation schools and schools run by religious and voluntary organisations, the school itself may be directly responsible for recruiting and employing staff. 
• Further education colleges and higher education institutions - there are approximately 414 further education (FE) colleges in the UK, some of which have more than 20,000 full-time and part-time students. They may offer degree courses as well as lower level qualifications and training. There are around 165 higher education (HE) institutions, i.e. universities and HE colleges, in the UK. These vary in history, size and the extent to which their mission is focused upon teaching, research or other activities such as widening participation. Many also provide conference facilities. Opportunities exist in lecturing, research and administration.
• National and local government and other agencies - opportunities may be available in LAs and government departments involved in the administration of education, as well as in state-funded quangos, e.g. the Teaching Agency  and the Skills Funding Agency . Other education-related agencies include charities, professional associations and examination boards.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs are organisations with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of no more than £44million. They are less prevalent in education than in other sectors.

• Private and independent schools - there are around 2,600 independent schools in the UK. They are funded by school fees, not by the LA, so they are not under LA control and include boarding schools, and schools with specific educational philosophies and teaching and learning approaches, such as those run by the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship  and Montessori . For more information see the Independent Schools Council (ISC) .
• Education and training outside of educational institutions - education outside the traditional school/college setting is provided by a range of providers including training companies that deliver training to learners in their own workplace or at a training centre, and charities that may focus on a specific client group. There are opportunities in museums, art galleries, libraries, theatres and nature reserves where education officers organise educational activities and programmes. Leisure centres and outdoor pursuit centres also have jobs for coaches and instructors, as do children's summer camps and ski schools.

Self-employment

There are not many opportunities for self-employment in the education sector. Opportunities do exist, however, to work as a private tutor. It is also possible to work on a freelance basis as an examiner marking papers for examination boards. In addition to recent and relevant experience as a teacher, you will also need networking skills and a good marketing strategy, particularly when you first start out.

It is possible to set up your own training company and offer training courses to companies or institutions. This is particularly common in the IT industry and for equal opportunities/human resources issues. There are also some opportunities to work on projects in schools for artists, writers and performers.

Find out more about self-employment.