A Teacher’s Guide to Resigning: Dates and Resignation Letter Etiquette
Resigning from a teaching role is quite a different beast to resigning from most other jobs. You’re not just leaving behind an office full of colleagues; you’re saying goodbye to classes of young people (and their expectant parents, to boot).
Teachers are also bound by the particular conditions of service contained in the official Burgundy book that stipulate, among other things, the dates you can resign and your notice period.
These factors can conspire to make teachers tread more carefully around resignation than their peers in other professions. But at some point in your career, you’ll probably feel that it’s time to move to a higher level of seniority that just isn’t available to you at your current school. Or perhaps you’ll simply develop a sense that you’d be better suited elsewhere.
If you’re in this boat, don’t get to work on that resignation letter just yet. Read on to find out all the moving parts that go into a teacher’s resignation, and how you can make a success of it.
What to do before applying to new jobs
Before you even begin the process of looking for your next job, let alone resigning from your current one, you should give some thought to how you can boost your comparative advantage in the eyes of employers.
Whatever role you come to apply for, you’ll be vying with various other well-qualified candidates. It’s worth considering what you can do to make yourself more employable as a teacher in a relatively short space of time.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses are built for this very purpose. Investing just a few hours on an online course can develop your talents and boost your skills in the most important parts of modern education, providing you with an accredited certification you can then point to on your CV and personal statement.
At Teaching Personnel, we give all our registered educators access to a wide range of heavily-discounted training courses through our CPD Academy. Thousands of teachers use these materials to grow their career options.
As part of your eventual application process, you’ll probably undergo a lesson observation. Before applying to a job, it’s worth finessing the lesson you plan to deliver. Some schools will require you to teach a particular topic, while others will allow you to pick your own theme for the lesson. Preparing a few lesson plans to cover a range of potential lesson themes will stand you in good stead.
What to do when applying to new jobs
Once you’ve scoured some teaching job vacancies and found one that seems like the perfect fit, it’s time to throw your hat in the ring.
Teaching job applications differ from those in other professions as your current senior leadership team will receive requests for references before you have been accepted to the role. To pre-defuse any potential awkwardness, we would recommend letting your school’s headteacher know that you will be applying to new positions before those reference requests land on their desks.
How Teaching Personnel can help you make a successful job change
Many full-time teachers might not normally think to look towards recruitment agencies when jobhunting. But at Teaching Personnel, we help thousands of permanent teachers move into new positions every year.
As the UK’s leading educational recruitment agency, our consultants have a wealth of specialized knowledge about every pathway in education. Whether you’re looking for posts at primary, secondary or special needs schools, we will work with you to find a teaching job you’ll love. All you have to do is register with us for free, and we’ll be in touch.
Teacher resignation dates and when to send your letter
So you’ve snagged a role at a school you think you’ll love and accepted your offer. Now it’s time to start the formal teacher resignation process. Remember though – this has to happen within a non-negotiable timeframe.
Most teachers will submit their resignations during the summer term in order to take up their new posts in September. In order to leave your job at the official end of the summer term, 31 August, you would have to submit your resignation no later than 31 May.
This three-month notice period is reduced to two months during the other two terms. If you want to leave your post at the end of the spring term, you would have to give notice by 28 February. For those aiming to make the autumn term their last, your letter has to go in by 31 October and no later.
How to write your teacher resignation letter
Your resignation letter doesn’t need to be an elaborate affair. It should be short and straight to the point, letting your headteacher know your final date of employment and your last date of attendance.
It is customary to express your thanks to the headteacher and the wider school for their support over your period of employment, and to wish them the best for the future. You should also name the school you will be going to.
Your tone should be polite and thankful and the letter should not extend beyond a few paragraphs. Your resignation letter is neither the place to be mawkish, nor the place to air any grievances. If you are leaving because of issues with the school as an institution or particular staff members, it is better to discuss these concerns in an exit interview.
How to issue your teacher resignation letter
While it is not obligatory, it is always best practice to deliver your resignation letter by hand to your headteacher. As they will already be aware of your intention to leave - and will have provided references to your new employer – this needn’t feel like an ambush.
Make sure to pick a time where they aren’t about to rush off to deliver a lesson or meeting, so that you can talk over your resignation politely.
There is no requirement to follow up with an email, but it might be useful to do so for your own records.
What to do once you’ve resigned from your teaching job
Once your resignation letter has been served and accepted, all that’s left to do is to see out the rest of your notice period gracefully, working to the best of your abilities.
Break the news as soon as possible to your colleagues, your pupils and their parents too; they will all be sad to see you go.
Those last few months in post are your chance to leave a positive last impression on senior leaders, consolidate some friendships and store up some potentially valuable goodwill with the school. Remember, whatever your real feelings towards any particular staff members, nobody wins from leaving on bad terms.
Resigning from a teaching job is a challenge in itself, but one that most teachers will come to in their careers. It’s more than possible to make a success of it, moving to a new post while leaving behind colleagues who think highly of you.
For more expert advice on making your next move, register with Teaching Personnel.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Sheffield
Description
Job Title: KS1 TeacherLocation: Sheffield/BarnsleySalary: £120-160Enjoy working with children and want a rewarding career, that you can feel accomplished, by shaping the young minds of he future?Teac
Reference
sc5564
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£120 - 180 per day
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 4
Location
Northumberland
Description
Are you a creative and imaginative teacher looking for a fulfilling part-time role in Key Stage 2? We're seeking a motivated educator to join our team and inspire young minds in a supportive learning
Reference
SS32K2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Doncaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Doncaster
Description
Role: KS2 TeacherContract: Temp to Perm, FulltimeSalary: £120-160 per dayArea: DoncasterAre you a newly qualified teacher, who is looking to gain more experience to kickstart your career? OR are you l
Reference
AH2641
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£83.85 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Doncaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Doncaster
Description
Teaching Personnel are looking for a committed and proactive Teaching Assistant to work in a Primary School in Doncaster to start in May 2024. Ideally, we are looking for someone who has experience wo
Reference
AH2643
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£12.90 - 15.50 per hour
Location free text
Manchester City Centre
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Manchester
Description
Discover exciting opportunities at Teaching Personnel in Manchester, where we're actively seeking passionate individuals ready to embark on their teaching careers. With immediate openings available, t
Reference
JM4679
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£12.90 - 15.50 per hour
Location free text
Levenshulme
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
We cordially invite you to consider a position at Teaching Personnel in Lenenshulme. We are actively seeking dedicated individuals eager to embark on their teaching careers. With immediate opportuniti
Reference
JM423
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£12.90 - 15.50 per hour
Location free text
Didsbury
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Consider a position at Teaching Personnel in Altrincham as we seek dedicated individuals eager to begin their teaching careers. Immediate opportunities await, offering compet
Reference
JM645
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£20 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Bracknell
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Teacher
Location
Bracknell
Description
Job Title: Tutors needed in Berkshire Location: England, South East England, BerkshireJob Type: Temporary, expected to work Part-Time hoursPrimary Industry: Education and TrainingSecondary Industr
Reference
LM26/04/20243
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£20 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Slough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Teacher
Location
Slough
Description
Job Title: Tutors needed in Berkshire Location: England, South East England, BerkshireJob Type: Temporary, expected to work Part-Time hoursPrimary Industry: Education and TrainingSecondary Industr
Reference
LM26/04/20242
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour
Location free text
Marchwood
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Marchwood
Description
Seeking Passionate Individuals with a Heart for Children! Are you passionate about positively impacting young lives, experienced in educational and SEN/SEMH settings? If so, we want to hear from you!
Reference
GWOOD 6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SENAuthor
Hampshire SENRelated posts
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job