School cleaning jobs: pay, hours and term-time contracts

What are school cleaning hours and pay rates, and how does term-time only employment affect annual earnings?

How much do school cleaners earn?

School cleaning wages vary by employer type, region and contract structure. National job posting data from Q2 2026 shows school cleaner roles advertised at a median of £12.10/hour:¹

Local authority employed

£12.20-12.60/hour. Often on standardized pay scales (e.g., NJC Grade 2-3), with annual increments. Better benefits including occupational pension (LGPS 18.6% employer contribution), enhanced sick pay and holiday.

Academy trusts

£11.80-12.40/hour. Pay varies by individual trust. Some maintain local authority terms and conditions, others set independent rates. Benefits typically include statutory minimum pension (3% employer) and holiday.

Contractors (outsourced)

£11.50-12/hour. Some schools outsource cleaning to facilities management companies. Lower hourly rates but potentially more flexible hours or additional sites available.

Independent/private schools

£11.80-13/hour. Variable depending on school size and location. Some boarding schools offer live-in positions or additional hours for evening/weekend duties.

Cleaning supervisors overseeing school cleaning teams earn £13-14.50/hour or £22,000-26,000 annually for full-time equivalent roles.²

What are typical school cleaning hours?

School cleaners work when pupils are not present, meaning after-school evening shifts are most common:

• After-school shifts: 3pm-7pm or 4pm-8pm, Monday to Friday. Most common pattern, allowing 4 hours per evening (20 hours/week). Starts after pupils leave (typically 3:15-3:30pm finish).
• Early morning shifts: Less common. 6am-8am for light cleaning before pupils arrive. Usually combined with after-school hours to create longer contracts.
• Weekend deep cleans: Some schools employ separate weekend teams for periodic deep cleaning (carpet shampooing, high-level dusting, window cleaning). Typically 3-4 hours on Saturdays.
• Holiday maintenance: Year-round contracts include maintenance cleaning during school holidays (lighter daily cleaning plus periodic deep tasks like stripping/sealing floors).

Part-time contracts of 15-25 hours per week are standard. Full-time school cleaning roles (37.5 hours) are rare but may exist at large secondary schools or multi-site contracts combining several nearby schools.

What is term-time only employment?

Many school cleaning jobs are term-time only (TTO) contracts, meaning employment only during the 39 weeks per year when school is in session. The 13 weeks of school holidays (summer, Christmas, Easter, half-terms) are unpaid.³

Two common payment structures for term-time contracts:

• Paid for weeks worked only: Receive pay for 39 weeks, no pay for 13 weeks. Results in 13 weeks per year with zero income, requiring budgeting or alternative work during holidays.
• Pay spread across 52 weeks: Some employers calculate 39 weeks' earnings and divide by 52 to give consistent monthly income. Avoids zero-pay months but reduces weekly/monthly take-home during term-time.

Example calculation for term-time only school cleaner:

• 20 hours/week at £12/hour = £240/week
• 39 weeks term-time = £9,360 annual gross earnings
• If spread over 52 weeks: £180/week (£9,360 ÷ 52)

Term-time only suits parents with school-age children (aligns with childcare needs) or those seeking guaranteed time off during school holidays. However, annual earnings are significantly lower than year-round work at the same hourly rate and weekly hours.

What is the difference between term-time only and year-round contracts?

Some schools offer year-round (52-week) contracts for cleaning staff, employing them during school holidays for maintenance work:

• Term-time duties: Daily cleaning after pupils leave (classrooms, toilets, corridors, halls).
• Holiday duties: Lighter daily maintenance cleaning plus periodic deep tasks (stripping and sealing floors, washing walls, external areas, storage area organization).
• Pay and holiday: 52 weeks paid employment with 5.6 weeks (28 days) paid annual leave, same as any permanent employee.

Year-round contracts provide significantly higher annual earnings than term-time only for the same weekly hours:

• Term-time only: 20 hrs/week × £12/hour × 39 weeks = £9,360/year
• Year-round: 20 hrs/week × £12/hour × 52 weeks = £12,480/year (33% higher)

When comparing school cleaning job offers, clarify whether the role is term-time only or year-round, as this dramatically affects annual take-home pay.

Do school cleaners get paid holiday?

Yes, but how holiday entitlement works depends on contract type:⁴

Term-time only contracts:

• Entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days pro-rated) paid holiday like all UK workers.
• Holiday is usually deemed to be taken during the 13 weeks of unpaid school closure.
• Some employers pay a higher hourly rate to include rolled-up holiday pay (this is technically illegal since 2006 but still occurs).
• Net effect: the 13 weeks of school holidays include 5.6 weeks that should be paid holiday, but most term-time contracts do not pay separately for this, building it into the contracted weeks or hourly rate.

Year-round contracts:

• 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time, pro-rated for part-time) paid annual leave to be booked like any employee.
• For a 20 hour/week cleaner: 20 × 5.6 = 112 hours holiday per year (approximately 5.5 weeks at their normal shift pattern).
• Holiday typically taken during school holiday periods when cleaning demands are lower.

Always clarify holiday arrangements at job offer stage, as school cleaning contracts vary significantly in how holiday pay is structured.

What does school cleaning work involve?

School cleaners are responsible for maintaining hygienic, safe learning environments. Daily tasks typically include:

• Sweeping and mopping classroom floors
• Cleaning and disinfecting toilets, sinks, cubicles (high priority in schools)
• Emptying bins from classrooms, offices, staff rooms
• Wiping desks, chairs, door handles and high-touch surfaces
• Vacuuming carpeted areas (libraries, offices, reception)
• Cleaning corridors, entrance halls and communal areas
• Restocking toilet paper, soap and paper towels
• Spot-cleaning spillages, marks and graffiti
• Periodic deep tasks (high dusting, window cleaning, floor maintenance) often during holidays

School cleaning requires attention to health and safety given the presence of children. Food hygiene Level 2 may be required if cleaning kitchens or dining halls. DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service) are mandatory for all school staff including cleaners, even if working outside school hours.

What are the benefits of school cleaning jobs?

Advantages:

• Afternoon/evening hours suit parents with school-age children (finish school run, clean 3-7pm, home for bedtime)
• Term-time only option provides school holidays off (suits childcare needs)
• Predictable Monday-Friday pattern (no weekend or bank holiday working)
• Local employment (most cleaners work at nearby schools within their community)
• Local authority roles offer good benefits (pension, sick pay, job security)
• Part-time hours can combine with other morning work or commitments

Disadvantages:

• Term-time only contracts significantly reduce annual earnings (13 weeks unpaid)
• Part-time hours (15-25/week) mean many cleaners need additional income sources
• Working alone or in small teams (less social than larger workplaces)
• Toilet cleaning in schools with young children can be unpleasant
• Academy and contractor roles have weaker benefits than local authority employment

How do you get a school cleaning job?

School cleaning vacancies are advertised through:

• Local authority job boards: Council-run schools post vacancies on local authority websites and job portals.
• Individual school websites: Academy trusts and individual schools advertise on their own websites under "Vacancies" or "Work for Us".
• Facilities management company job boards: If cleaning is outsourced, vacancies appear on contractor websites (Mitie, ISS, Churchill, etc).
• General job boards: Indeed, Reed, Totaljobs carry school cleaning vacancies.
• Direct approach: Contact local schools directly (speak to site manager or business manager) to express interest and ask about upcoming vacancies.

No prior experience is typically required. Schools provide on-the-job training, though reliability, trustworthiness and the ability to pass a DBS check are essential. Referees (employment or character references) are always required for school roles.

Last reviewed: 19 July 2026