It is important to know your mandatory notice period in any role, but teachers have specific timeframes to work to. National recruitment cycles mean that there is an expectation that teachers leave and begin new roles at the start of autumn, spring, and summer terms. Having nationally agreed notice periods allows schools to find suitable replacements for any outgoing teaching staff. So how much notice does a teacher have to give?
Check your teaching contract
Whilst the vast majority of teaching staff will have aligned resignation dates it is vital that you review your specific circumstance. It might be that your role has a slightly longer notice period and this is typical in Leadership roles including Headteachers. You might also be able to provide a shorter notice period if you are on a probation period or fulfilling a temporary contract. If you can’t find a copy of your contract, ask the personnel team for your school or trust to provide you with a copy.
National teacher notice periods
Teachers need to provide a half term’s notice in order to leave. The majority of new teaching roles commence at the beginning of a full academic term e.g. September, January, and April/May so the expectation is that you would hand in your notice at the following dates:
- To leave your teaching job during the Christmas Holidays you should hand in your notice by 31st October
- To leave your teaching job during the Easter Holidays you should hand in your notice by 28th February
- To leave your teaching job during the Summer Holidays you should hand in your notice by 31st May
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