✅ Intro: Why This Matters
When I helped my friend Sam — a UK geography teacher — see how his soggy clipboard disaster could actually help other teachers through an affiliate blog, he was excited… but cautious.
“Wait — is this even allowed? What if the school finds out and thinks I’m trying to run a side hustle during lessons?”
Good question.
A side project like this can absolutely be done ethically — but it’s smart to think it through before you publish a single post.
Here’s what Sam and I talked about — and what any UK teacher should keep in mind.
✅ 1️⃣ Keep Your Side Hustle Outside School Hours
Your school employs you to teach — not to work on your personal website during lessons, staff meetings, or planning periods.
Practical tips:
✔️ Do all your blogging in your own time: evenings, weekends, or holidays.
✔️ Use your own laptop or device — not school computers or the school Wi-Fi.
✔️ Treat it like any other second job — you wouldn’t sell tutoring sessions in the middle of a lesson, so don’t write your affiliate blog during the work day.
✅ 2️⃣ Know What Your Contract Says
Most UK teachers don’t realise that some schools or academy trusts technically own lesson plans, resources, and certain materials you make for work.
If you lift your entire PowerPoint or worksheet bank and sell or publish it for profit, that could breach your contract.
What Sam does instead:
✔️ His posts are practical stories and recommendations about fieldwork gear he uses himself — not full lesson plans copied from the school server.
✔️ If he shares general tips, they’re always in his own words and built from his personal experience.
If you’re ever unsure, check your contract or ask your union rep.
✅ 3️⃣ Never Share Personal Student Info
This is a big one.
Teachers handle all sorts of sensitive info — and safeguarding rules are there for a reason.
Good practice:
✔️ Don’t use student names, photos, or identifiable details in your posts.
✔️ Keep stories general: “My Year 10 group…” is fine.
✔️ Use your own photos of places, equipment, or your notes — that’s unique, safe, and actually boosts trust with Google.
✅ 4️⃣ Think About Photos: Use Your Own
This is an easy win: photos you take yourself are unique and authentic — Google loves them, AI can’t replicate them, and you avoid any copyright or safeguarding issues.
Sam’s example:
Instead of showing a student using a clipboard, he took a snap of his soggy, broken clipboard next to the better one he found.
No kids in the frame, no safeguarding worries — just a clear, helpful image.
✅ 5️⃣ Be Clear About Your Audience
Teachers naturally help students and parents.
But your affiliate blog should be teacher-to-teacher (or teacher-to-parent if that makes sense) — not teacher-to-student.
Why?
✔️ You don’t want parents or the headteacher to feel you’re making money off your students.
✔️ It keeps your reputation squeaky clean: you’re helping other professionals do their job better, not pitching products to pupils.
✅ 6️⃣ Always Disclose Your Affiliate Links
In the UK, it’s legally required (and good practice) to be open about earning commissions.
Keep it simple:
✔️ Add a line near the top or bottom of any post:
“This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
✔️ Make sure you have a short privacy policy and cookie notice on your site.
✔️ Stick to the rules of the affiliate programs you join (like Amazon or Teachers Pay Teachers) — they sometimes have their own wording requirements.
✅ 7️⃣ Respect School Reputation & Professional Standards
This is common sense — but it’s worth saying:
✔️ Write like a teacher. Keep your tone respectful and professional.
✔️ Don’t post anything that would embarrass your school or break trust with colleagues, parents, or your local community.
✔️ If you’re ever unsure, ask your line manager or union rep — it’s much easier than apologising later.
✅ 8️⃣ Other Practical Bits
📌 Taxes:
If you make more than £1,000 a year through affiliate income, you’ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC. Don’t worry — it’s straightforward, and there are lots of free guides online.
📌 Copyright:
Only use materials, photos, or case studies you have the right to share. Don’t lift stuff from other teachers’ sites without permission.
📌 Sensitive Topics:
If your geography blog covers local development issues (like controversial coastal defences or new planning proposals), stick to facts and neutral commentary. It’s not worth getting pulled into a local argument that could cause you stress.
✅ Sam’s Key Takeaway
When Sam saw all this written down, he said:
“So basically, I just need to keep it separate from school time, use my own gear, write like I’m helping a mate in the staffroom, and be honest about my links?”
Exactly.
Done right, an affiliate site is just a modern version of teachers helping teachers — only now you can earn a little extra for your effort.
✅ Wrap Up: Helping Teachers the Right Way
Affiliate blogging can be a brilliant side project for any teacher — as long as you keep it ethical and clear.
✅ Stay transparent.
✅ Protect your students.
✅ Keep your school time for your job.
✅ Write like you’re helping your colleagues do what they already do — but better.
✅ Want to See How We Do It?
If you’d like to see how Sam and I plan these posts, test real search terms, and keep everything above board, check out Wealthy Affiliate — the same tool we used to find our “teacher cracks” and build a plan around real trust.