The teaching profession has very different rules about when you can leave your teaching post to any other industry. There are precise times in the school year when you can hand in your notice and then when you leave. Broadly speaking teachers can leave three times a year and there are specific dates to hand your notice in by. This will be further explained in the post.
I am a qualified teacher who has worked in education for over twenty years and other teachers are always asking the same question ‘What are the resignation dates for teachers?’ and how much notice does a teacher have to give?
Schools in England and Wales often follow the Burgundy Book and this ensures that local authorities follow the same rules protecting both the teachers and students. This means that a teacher’s continuous service accrues despite moving between schools. On a practical level, you can’t have teachers leaving the classroom whenever they want as classrooms need teachers in them and ideally, you want a smooth transition for pupils.
The Burgundy Book
The “Burgundy Book” is a term often used to refer to the “Burgundy Book on Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales.” This document outlines the terms and conditions of employment for teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales. It is a nationally recognized reference for teacher employment rights and working conditions.
The Burgundy Book is negotiated between teaching unions and employer representatives, and it covers various aspects of a teacher’s employment, including pay scales, working hours, leave entitlements, and other conditions of service. The agreement is designed to provide a standard framework for teacher employment in the mentioned regions.
It’s important to note that employment conditions for teachers may vary, and there may be other agreements or documents in place in different regions or for different types of schools. Teachers are encouraged to be familiar with the specific terms of their employment contracts, which may incorporate elements from agreements like the Burgundy Book.
Suppose you have specific questions about the Burgundy Book or teacher employment conditions in a particular location. In that case, it’s recommended to consult with the relevant education authorities, school administrators, or legal professionals who specialize in education law.
Teacher Resignation Dates
There are three opportunities for teachers in the school year for teachers to leave their current position.
1. Teachers must hand their notice in by 31st October to leave at the end of the term. This is based on there being three ‘big’ terms. So after handing in their notice, they will leave their current employment at the end of December.
2. The second date teachers can resign by is February 28th to leave at the end of the spring term which is 30th April.
3. The final date is handing in notice by 31st May to leave on 31st August.
If you provide the appropriate notice, you will be paid up to and including the last day of term, even though school holiday periods start earlier than these dates (e.g. paid until 31 August despite summer holidays usually beginning in July). This is why it is so important to use dates in your resignation letter and not just say finishing at the end of term as you may not be then paid for the school holidays. And no teacher wants to miss out on this holiday pay!
As you can see teachers are typically required to give two months’ notice to their current role. Headteachers will have a different resignation process and will need to give longer notice periods.
The spring term dates can be tricky for schools as the easter holiday falls at different times each year, so if leaving at the start of the summer term, check dates carefully as your last day of work could fall into the new term and your schools would need to discuss your options for an easter move.
Typically more teachers leave at the end of the summer term as this is when pupils change year groups and it causes the least disruption for continuity, it also sees those students in exam years through the end of the school year. If you don’t give the appropriate notice you could be found in breach of contract and this is not good, especially if you are continuing to work in schools as your reputation will follow you!
When is the best time to tell the headteacher?
In an ideal setting, it is a good idea to tell your headteacher and head of department as soon as you can, often they will know that you have been to an interview and will therefore already be expecting you to leave. Headteachers often talk to each other and therefore being open and upfront can help your professional relationships. However, contractually you don’t have to formalise your resignation until the deadline date. But the more notice you give the more notice a school has to find a replacement teacher.
Teachers working in academies and free schools
Some academies and free schools may operate terms and conditions which do not adhere to the provisions of the Burgundy Book. They are therefore able to set different notice periods.
However, the overwhelming majority of academies and free schools do adhere to the same notice periods as those for maintained schools, but you are advised to check your contract carefully given the freedoms and flexibilities academies and free schools have.
Teachers working in independent schools
If you are a teacher working in an independent school, you should check your contract carefully as notice periods can vary from school to school. The required notice period can be different in these settings.
Exceptions to the rule
Although these teacher resignation dates are the ones set out in teachers’ terms and conditions there may be exceptions to the rule. If you are offered another position you can choose to ask your current school to release you early. The first step in doing this would be to make an appointment with the headteacher and ask the question. If they have a suitable replacement they can use their discretion in allowing you to start your new job. Likewise, if you have personal reasons for leaving there may be more flexibility. For example, teachers off work on long-term sick or work-related stress may find the school is happy to release them from their teaching career.
When are teaching jobs advertised?
Teaching jobs will be advertised all year long, especially in shortage subjects where there are gaps across subjects nationally. However, job adverts peak in the spring term as many will start a new position in the autumn term. This gives ample time for schools to advertise and recruit and for successful teachers to give the required notice. If a teacher doesn’t have a contracted job there is often plenty of supply work about. This can be on a day-to-day basis or short-term contracts. If you find yourself without a permanent post then register with local supply agencies to pick up teaching work as a supply teacher.
Do teaching assistants have to give notice?
Yes, their contract will require a notice period but it will be different to teachers. Typically TA’s only need to give a weeks’ notice or two.
How to resign – A notice of resignation
When you resign from a teaching job, you need to notify the school administrators and the Headteacher (or Principal) with a notice of resignation. A notice of resignation should always be provided in writing.
Where possible, always try to speak with the Headteacher or your Head of Department in person beforehand and let them know that you intend to leave. The next step is then to follow the verbal resignation up in writing with an official letter of resignation.
Next Steps
If you have decided to leave teaching and don’t want to take up a teaching position at another school you have plenty of options. Teachers have a brilliant and valuable skillset and I have written a post on careers after teaching. I left teaching almost ten years ago and now have a varied and interesting career. I have this blog, I coach others to blog (read more at Emma Bradley Coaching), still do a little tutoring and work for the police on a self leadership and wellbeing course for teenagers.
There is life after teaching for the brave!
