A surprising number of companies offer discounts to teachers – some well-known, others not so. From technology to clothing to homes (yes, that’s right), let’s take a look at the best deals on offer.
Table of Contents
Discounts for UK teachers
Are you fed up with being overworked and underappreciated? Well, at least you know the government has your back…
Fortunately, some companies realise the hard work put in by teaching staff and provide decent teacher discounts. Here’s a list of great ways to get money off various goods and services.
Fashion and cosmetics discounts
Footasylum
Footasylum offers a 10% discount for teachers, which is applicable online and valid for full-price items only. Before receiving the discount, verification of your employment details is required.
Benefit Cosmetics
Teachers and other Key Workers receive 15% off from Benefit Cosmetics. Find out how to verify your employment and claim your discount.
Lookfantastic
Another company offer beauty products. Teachers can receive a 21% discount on selected products by signing up here.
Cho Fashion and Lifestyle
This fashion and lifestyle brand will give teachers 10% off orders once they have verified their employment. Sign up for Cho’s discount scheme.
FARFETCH
FARFETCH gives a 10% discount to teachers on men’s, women’s and children’s clothes and they stock some pretty big brands. FARFETCH discount for teachers.
Discounts on Dancewear and shoes
Ok, so this is quite a niche discount. But if you are into dance or a member of your family is, then you can get 20% off at Capezio. And yes, this is specifically aimed at teachers.
Technology
tier1
Are you looking for technology at a discounted price? tier1 offers refurbished products, which are good for the environment and will save you money too. And although they’re refurbished, most items come with a 1-year warranty. Plus, as a teacher, you’ll get an extra 15% off.
Casio
Need a new calculator? A watch? A musical keyboard? Or a Colposcopy camera (yes, they really sell them)? Teachers can receive a 10% discount using an exclusive code. Find out more about the Casio Key Worker scheme.
Apple discount from Unidays
Although many think that Unidays is just aimed at college students, teachers and office staff also qualify. This is not a full account but is known as a Unidays staff account. This allows you access Apple Education Pricing.
Apple Education will give you various perks. At the moment, you can get free AirPods (worth £159) when you buy an iPad or iMac. You can also get 20% off Apple Care and one year free of Apple TV+. These offers change though, and sometimes it will just be a straight 10% off any product.
Dell Advantage
If Apple isn’t your thing, how about a discount from Dell? You can get up to 20% off laptops, desktops, monitors and accessories by claiming a voucher by following this link.
Microsoft
Continuing on the technology theme, students, parents and educators are eligible year-round for a 10% discount on a selection of Surface devices and accessories from Microsoft. And don’t forget, teachers get free access to Microsoft Teams – you just have to provide a valid email address.
Mobile phones
o2
- 25% discount on 3GB and above Airtime Plans (data, minutes and texts).
- 15% discount on 1GB and above Airtime Plans (data, minutes and texts).
Discounts can only be applied to new plans and must be claimed within 28 days of starting.
EE
EE has teamed up with Student Beans and Beans iD to offer teachers 20% off monthly bills at EE on airtime only with flex plans.
Carphone Warehouse
Now part of Currys, most of Carphone Warehouse’s deals for teachers involve free vouchers if you purchase a new mobile device through them. Claim the Carphone Warehouse teacher discount.
Food
Morrisons
During Covid and up until early 2021, teaching staff were rewarded with 10% off their Morrisons shop. However, this has now been replaced with Morrisons Teachers Club. To opt in, you will need to create a Morrisons More account and provide your work email.
Once done, you will be given access to ‘exclusive savings’. However, it’s a little difficult to say if these are worthwhile as they change. But they have included 20% off at the fish counter on Fridays, 20% off Nutmeg women’s clothing and discounts on ready meals.
Lifestyle
Vision Express
Vision Express offers a 20% discount to teachers on glasses, sunglasses (including prescription sunglasses) and contact lenses. However, this is only available when you shop online. You will need to verify your teacher ID first, and then you’ll be given an exclusive code to use at the checkout.
Find out more about the Vision Express Key Worker scheme.
Taylor Wimpey
Disappointed with savings on shoes or meals? How about saving up to £15,000 off a new Taylor Wimpey home? While not applicable to every home, this teacher discount is certainly worth exploring.
Taylor Wimpey discount scheme.
Cars
Excluding housing, the biggest cost for many of us is cars. And that’s why it’s important that we look for the best deal possible. Fortunately, there is a company called the Motor Source Group that could help you get a better price.
The Motor Source Group provides cars for Military, Police & Prison Service, NHS, Fire & Rescue, Public Sector and Teaching Professionals.
They offer discounts and deals on:
- New cars
- Used cars
- Lease cars
- Gap Insurance
- Finance
How much you can save does depend on the car you would like. One of the best deals is a Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T 160 Tekna DCT Petrol Auto for £21,776 – a saving of £9,044!
Typical finance is around 8.9%. Around average for a major car dealer but you will get a better rate from your bank if you have a good credit rating.
Travel
Hilton Hotels
There are various codes that fly about for Hilton Hotels for specific teacher discounts, but these are subject to change. However, if you follow this link, it will take you straight to a discounted booking page.
But… when I looked at prices for staying at Hilton, I found that the room charges through that link were sometimes more expensive compared to going through a comparison site.
Travel discounts with the International Teacher Identity Card
The International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) is an ID card that claims to be recognised across the globe. It offers:
- Up to 40% off flights and 5% off travel insurance with STA Travel.
- Thousands of benefits worldwide on accommodation, all the way through to transport, with discounts on entertainment, food and travel too.
- Access to fantastic discounts at home and abroad.
- Proof of full-time teacher status wherever you are in the world.
To qualify, you will need to work at least 18 hours per week and have worked for at least one academic year. You will also need a letter from your local authority to prove your employment.
The virtual ITIC card will cost you £12 with an extra charge of £3 if you want a plastic version. Cards are valid for 12 months.
Some of the major companies on the site offering discounts for teachers are:
- Apple
- National Express
- Hard Rock Cafe
- The Blackpool Tower
Discount memberships
CSSC
The CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council) is a discount scheme open to public sector employees. Here you can find discounted gift cards for most of the major stores in the UK. But not only that, you can earn cashback, buy cheap cinema tickets, find deals on great days out and have access to exclusive offers.
Member benefits also include membership to English Heritage, which will give you and your family free admission to lots of historical sites across the UK.
There is a monthly fee, but at under £5 per month, the benefits should easily outweigh the costs.
Take a look at my full CSSC review. Plus, you can earn £10 for referring friends.
Cashback with Discounts For Teachers
I’m sure you’ve seen the Discounts for Teachers website and some of the great benefits it offers. But one of the best is its ‘Ode’ card. This is a prepaid debit card that needs to be loaded with money before you shop. And when you use it in selected retailers, you can earn as much as 16% cashback.
The card is free for the first year and then comes with an annual fee of £2.99.
There are currently over 75 shops where you can use the card, including:
- Argos
- Asda
- B&Q
- Boots
- Caffe Nero
- Clarks
- Five Guys
- GAP
- Halfords
- Harvester
- John Lewis
and plenty more…
To join you will need to visit the Discount for Teachers website to register for the card.
Teacher Perks
Teacher Perks is free to join and gives you exclusive discounts at hundreds of high street brands and restaurants, such as TGI Fridays and FatFace.You can also save your school money with access to some exclusive education perks.
If that’s not enough, there are opportunities to earn extra by taking part in education surveys, research projects, and writing opportunities.
Advice and discounts with the National Education Union
Unions get a bad press, but I think there’s still a strong need for them in the workplace. Not only do they help you with employment issues, but many also come with a lot of extra benefits. The National Education Union (NEU) is one of the larger teacher unions and provides:
- Legal advice
- Pension advice
- Pay advice
- Free insurance
- Discounted will writing service
- Access to Edenred
If you haven’t heard of Edenred before, it will give you access to lots of benefits, with the best one being discounted gift cards. These can be used in most major stores and restaurants and can give you anything between 2-15% off. You can find money off at:
- Argos
- Asda
- B&Q
- Costa
- Currys
- Morrisons
- New Look
- Sainsbury’s
- Sports Direct
And over 70 more.
How much you have to pay for membership depends on your role in education. At the moment, annual subscriptions range from £20 up to £220.
Check with your local council
Because many teachers are employed by their local council, they may qualify for some extra benefits. This could be discounted membership to clubs, cheaper cinema tickets or money off gift cards. Unfortunately, all councils operate differently, so I am unable to list each one.
But because UK teachers work for the public sector, you should be able to find a good discount on mobile phone contracts.
If you know of any good deal I have missed, then please let me know in the comments below.
And why not take a look at saving money through cashback sites? This is another easy way to save when shopping.
FAQs
Do teachers get a discount for Amazon Prime?
Unfortunately not. The Prime reduced membership prices are for students only. If you have never been a member before, you could try a free 30-day trial.
Do teachers get a discount at Currys?
Not directly. You must join one of the participating schemes above and buy a discounted gift card.
Is there still a discount available at Morrisons?
No, the 10% discount for teachers ended in February 2021.
Is there an Argos teachers discount?
There is no specific discount at Argos for teachers. However, you can buy discounted gift cards (again through the CSSC), or you could download the Airtime Rewards app. This links to your debit or credit card and earns you cashback every time you shop, which can then be put towards your mobile phone bill. You can also earn cashback at major stores like Primark, Matalan and Boots.
Do teachers qualify for the Blue Light Card?
The bad news is that teachers don’t qualify for the Blue Light Card, which is a shame as it’s a handy card to have.
Does Vodafone still offer discounts to teachers?
Vodafone Advantage offers exclusive savings to certain employees. Although teachers used to be included in this scheme, they no longer seem to be listed.