After another busy academic year, the summer holidays are finally here.

Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, SEN professional, learning support assistant, school administrator, caretaker or another member of school staff, the summer break is a chance to properly switch off, recharge and enjoy having a little more freedom with your time.

And if you're based in London or the Home Counties, you don't necessarily need an expensive holiday abroad to make the most of the break.

From London's parks and museums to countryside escapes across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Essex, there is plenty to do before September rolls around again.

And, if you're starting to think about your next education role, summer is also a great time to get ahead.

At Uniform Education, we're already speaking to schools across London and the Home Counties about their staffing requirements for the new academic year.

Looking for a new teaching, SEN or school support role? Register your CV with Uniform Education and let us know what you're looking for this September.

1. Make the most of London's parks

After months of classrooms, corridors, playground duty and commuting, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply get outside.

London has some fantastic green spaces, including:

• Richmond Park

• Hampstead Heath

• Regent's Park

• Greenwich Park

• Hyde Park

• Primrose Hill

• Kensington Gardens

Grab a coffee, meet a friend, take a long walk or find somewhere to sit without having to think about lesson plans, safeguarding paperwork or Monday morning.

For school staff based in North London, Hampstead Heath and Kenwood are particularly good options, while Richmond Park is ideal if you're based further west.

Best of all, many of London's biggest parks are completely free.

2. Have a proper London museum day

One of the advantages of the school holidays is being able to visit London attractions during the week rather than squeezing everything into a Saturday.

London has an incredible selection of museums and galleries, many of which offer free general admission.

You could spend a day exploring:

• The Natural History Museum

• The Victoria and Albert Museum

• Tate Modern

• The National Gallery

• The British Museum

• The Science Museum

And for teachers, TAs and support staff who spend most of the year organising trips for somebody else, there is something quite enjoyable about visiting somewhere without having to count 30 children every five minutes.

3. Spend a day at Kew Gardens

If you want somewhere that feels a little calmer than central London, Kew Gardens makes an excellent summer day out.

Spend a few hours walking around the gardens, glasshouses and outdoor spaces, grab some food and enjoy not having anywhere particularly urgent to be.

It's particularly easy for education professionals based across West London, Hounslow, Richmond, Ealing and the surrounding areas.

Thinking about working in West London this September?

Uniform Education works with schools across London and regularly recruits for teachers, teaching assistants, SEN support staff and other education professionals.

Register with Uniform Education today and tell us the areas and roles you're interested in.

4. Escape to the Chilterns

If you spend your working week travelling around London, getting completely out of the city can be exactly what you need.

The Chilterns stretch across parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and the surrounding area and offer some brilliant countryside walks.

Popular options include the Chess Valley Walk and sections of the Ridgeway, alongside countless shorter routes through villages, woodland and open countryside.

Take some food, put your phone on silent and spend a day somewhere that doesn't involve Outlook, Teams or a school WhatsApp group.

5. Explore Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire

For teachers and education staff living in Hertfordshire, Barnet, Borehamwood, Watford, St Albans or North London, Ashridge Estate is a great summer escape.

There are miles of woodland and countryside to explore, ranging from easy walks to longer routes around the Chiltern landscape.

Add a pub lunch afterwards and you've got a pretty decent summer weekday.

Uniform Education also recruits extensively across North London and the surrounding Home Counties, so if you're considering a new school for September, summer is a good opportunity to speak to us before vacancies start moving quickly.

6. Head to Epping Forest

For people based in East London, North East London or Essex, Epping Forest is another excellent option.

You can walk, cycle or simply spend a few hours getting out of the city.

It's also accessible from several parts of London by public transport, making it an easy day out without needing to drive.

September can wait for a few hours.

7. Enjoy a weekday lunch somewhere you'd normally never get to

This is one of the simplest pleasures of working in education during August.

Go somewhere you'd normally only see completely packed on a Saturday.

Meet friends for lunch at 1pm on a Tuesday.

Sit outside if the British weather decides to cooperate.

And enjoy the fact that nobody is asking where the glue sticks have gone.

8. Get down to Surrey

If you're based in South or South West London, Surrey has plenty of places worth exploring during the summer.

RHS Garden Wisley is one option, but there are also dozens of countryside walks, parks and villages within relatively easy travelling distance of London.

It's a good reminder that you don't have to travel particularly far from the capital before everything starts feeling considerably quieter.

9. Do absolutely nothing

Possibly the most important suggestion on this list.

People working in education spend much of the year working to fixed timetables, deadlines and routines.

Your summer doesn't need its own colour-coded schedule.

Have a lie-in.

Go to the gym in the middle of the day.

Read something completely unrelated to education.

Meet somebody for coffee.

Watch rubbish television.

Or do absolutely nothing for an afternoon.

September will arrive soon enough.

10. Start thinking about what you want from September

There is, however, one useful job worth doing before the summer disappears:

Think about whether you're genuinely happy going back to the same role.

Maybe you want:

• A school closer to home

• Better working hours

• More SEN experience

• A long-term role rather than day-to-day supply

• More flexibility

• A permanent position

• A different age group

• A move into a specialist school

• Better pay

• Or simply a fresh start

Late August and September are extremely important periods for education recruitment.

As Head Teachers and senior leadership teams return and start finalising staffing, pupil numbers and timetables, new requirements can appear very quickly.

That's why getting registered before the September rush can make a real difference.

Looking for teaching jobs in London this September?

Uniform Education is a specialist education recruitment agency working across London and the Home Counties.

We recruit for a wide range of school and education roles, including:

• Teachers

• SEN Teachers

• Teaching Assistants

• Learning Support Assistants

• SEN Support Staff

• HLTAs

• Outreach Tutors

• School Administrators

• Caretakers

• Other school support roles

We work with mainstream schools, SEN schools, alternative provisions, colleges and other education settings throughout London and surrounding areas.

So whether you're actively searching for a new job or simply interested in hearing what opportunities are available, we'd love to hear from you.

Get ahead of the September recruitment rush

You don't need to wait until schools reopen to start looking.

Register your CV with Uniform Education now, tell us:

• Where you're based

• How far you're willing to travel

• What type of school you'd like to work in

• Your preferred role

• Whether you're looking for temporary, long-term or permanent work

• When you're available to start

Our consultants can then start matching you with suitable schools as requirements come through.

Already registered with Uniform Education?

Make sure your consultant knows your availability for September and let them know if anything has changed regarding the areas, roles or types of schools you're interested in.

Not registered yet?

Register with Uniform Education today and let us help you find your next education role.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

September is coming — and when you're ready, Uniform Education is ready too.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start applying for teaching jobs for September?

You don't need to wait until September. Registering during the summer means your details, availability and compliance can be organised before schools begin making last-minute staffing decisions.

Does Uniform Education recruit teaching assistants in London?

Yes. Uniform Education recruits teaching assistants, learning support assistants, SEN support staff and other education professionals for schools across London and the Home Counties.

Does Uniform Education recruit SEN staff?

Yes. SEN recruitment is a major part of what we do, including opportunities within specialist schools, alternative provisions and mainstream SEN settings.

Can I register even if I'm not looking to leave my current job immediately?

Absolutely. You can register your details and discuss the type of opportunity that would make a move worthwhile. There is no obligation to accept a role.

What areas does Uniform Education cover?

Uniform Education works with schools across London and the Home Counties, including opportunities across North, West, East, South and Central London and surrounding areas.

How do I register with Uniform Education?

Simply submit your CV and contact details through the Uniform Education website and one of our consultants can speak to you about your experience, availability and the type of role you're looking for.​