Firstly know your deadline and when to give your notice:
- to leave by 31 December, give notice no later than 31 October
- to leave by 30 April, give notice no later than 28 February
- to leave by 31 August, give notice no later than 31 May
Need to know more about teachers resignation dates?
If you’re thinking about taking the next step in your career then you’ll need to do it soon, like really soon. Handing in your notice can be nerve-wracking for some, but it doesn’t have to be. Just choose to be excited instead.
Questions to ask before making the big move:
Are you prepared to travel further for a job or is remaining local important for you?
- Will a different job provide the fresh challenges you want or could you achieve your goals in your existing role?
- What benefits does the school offers as well as salary?
- Does the new school have a strong management team and will it help you with your professional development?
Make sure you have answers to all the above questions and be confident about what you hope to gain from a new role before submitting your resignation.
FACT: To leave at the end of the spring term on April 30th, you have to resign by February 28th, and that’s just a couple of weeks away – this applies even if you don’t yet have a firm job offer in place. You can find details about this here.
Why should I change jobs?
Sometimes it can be as simple as “I just need a change” - especially if you’ve been in your current teaching role for a while. There are lots of reasons why you might be considering moving to something new: a promotion, better salary, new challenges, better location or even the chance to meet new people and expand your social circle.
Or perhaps it’s your high aspirations that get you motivated. Leadership roles, such as department head or head teacher, may be what you’ve been working towards but your current school can only take you so far. Moving might make more sense than sticking around and waiting to see what happens.
Resigning and applying somewhere new can also open brand new doors. You’ll get a chance to grow your skillset further, making any senior role a lot more attainable.
Have you been feeling a bit deflated lately? New environments come with new challenges, and this can help reignite your passion for teaching. You’ll be working with new students where you’ll play a vital role in helping them achieve their goals. New colleagues are also part of the package; this means new friends, better advice and potentially mentoring too.
What can I expect in a new role?
This depends on the kind of job you’re applying for - a new role is what you make of it. It’s a fantastic opportunity to re-invent your teaching methods, re-assess things you’ve been struggling with and become a better teacher.
FACT: As a newly qualified teacher you probably started on around £22,000. However, by moving to a new job you can expect up to £33,160 if you have experience.
As a lead practitioner, salaries can increase to between £40,000 and £60,000, while head teachers can even command salaries of over £100,000.
Change is never easy, but a lot of times it can be exactly what you need. As with everything, there are highs and lows - often a big move like this is considered as a leap of faith. Nevertheless, when this leap pays off, there really is no greater feeling. So in the wise words of a well-known shoe brand, “just do it”, it’s time for the new you to take the first chair.
