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 resign from your current role if you are ready for your next challenge.
When do I need to resign by?
In England and Wales, teachers need to give around 2 months notice when resigning from their current role to allow the school plenty of time to find a replacement (if you are a current headteacher, these dates will be different). Teachers are restricted to particular conditions of service that are contained in the Burgundy Book, which specifies the dates teachers can resign, notice periods as well as influencing teachers pay and conditions. There are three resignation periods across the school year – one in each term (this may be different if your school is an academy 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
Does this apply to all school staff?
No, these dates apply to teachers in England and Wales. Support staff will generally need to give 4 weeks’ notice but it is always worth double checking your contract to find out exactly when you would need to hand it in. If you are a headteacher, your notice period will be longer to give schools plenty of time to find a replacement (3-4 months notice depending on the term you are resigning in).
How do I know I’m 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. Why not have a look at the job opportunities near you by searching on MyNewTerm?
- You no longer feel excited about work
- You want to be pushed outside your comfort zone
- You are unable to progress in your current role
- The job no longer aligns with your values and/or goals
- You are overwhelmed and/or overworked
How do I hand in my notice?
If you have made the decision to resign, you will need to write a concise, polite letter addressed to the headteacher. Make sure to include the following information:
- Date
- Name
- Position
- Opening paragraph. “I hereby provide notice in writing of my resignation from my position as [position name] at [school].”
- Leaving date (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 do not have to give a reason if you are not comfortable doing so)
- A statement of thanks or a positive paragraph about your time in the position – remember, you will need a reference from your current employer 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, MyNewTerm can help. Visit our jobs board and register to create your online profile ONCE which can be used for all applications.
