Choosing to resign can be a huge decision. Here at MyNewTerm, we aim to take away some of the stress by helping to find your next role. This article will tell you all you need to know about when and how to handle a Teacher Resignation if you are ready for your next challenge.
By What Date Do I Need to Resign?
In England and Wales, teachers resignation dates are primarily governed by the Burgundy Book (Conditions of Service for School Teachers). To ensure schools have enough time to recruit, notice periods are standardised across three key resignation periods in the academic year. (this may be different if your school is an Academy or Independent School so it is always worth checking your contract first)
- Autumn Term – Hand in your notice by 31st October to leave on the 31st December
- Spring Term – Hand in your notice by 28/29th February to leave on the 30th April
- Summer Term – Hand in your notice by 31st May to leave on the 31st August
Is This Applicable to All School Staff?
These dates apply to teachers in England and Wales. Support staff will typically need to give 4 weeks’ notice while Supply Teachers may have shorter notice periods however it is worth checking your contract to verify the notice period.
How to Know if You’re Ready to Move On
There are many reasons you may be thinking about leaving your current role and moving on to pastures new. If you are experiencing any of these, it may be a good time to start looking for other opportunities or a new challenge. Here at MyNewTerm, we aim to take away some of the stress by helping to find your next role, why not take a look at the job opportunities near you by searching on ?
- You no longer feel excited about work
- The school’s current values or direction no longer match your own goals.
- You seeking opportunity’s outside your comfort zone and progress in your career
- You are consistently overwhelmed or overworked to the point of exhaustion.
How to Hand in Your Notice
Once you’ve made your decision, you must submit a formal, polite letter of resignation to your Headteacher. To keep the process professional ensure you include the following
- The Basics: Your name, current position, and the date of the letter.
- The Formal Statement: “I hereby provide notice in writing of my resignation from my position as [position name] at [school].”
- Leaving Date: State your final official day (this is the last official working day so may fall in a school holiday. Remember, you will be paid up until the end of the term you are resigning in).
- Reason for Leaving: You aren’t required to give a reason, but mentioning a “new opportunity” or “career progression” is standard.
- A Positive Closing: Thank the Headteacher for the opportunities you’ve had during your time in the position. Maintaining a good relationship is vital for future references so it is always best to end on a positive note.
We hope you have found the information in this article useful. If you need support finding your next role, Register on MyNewTerm to create a single profile that allows you to apply for multiple school vacancies across England with just a few clicks.
