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TL;DR:
If you’re thinking about the next step in your career, it’s important to understand that for most classroom teachers in England and Wales, the key resignation notice deadline for leaving at the end of the Spring Term (30 April) is 28 February. However, this date should be a planning marker, not a trigger to resign. Exploring long-term and flexible roles with Humly lets you plan your professional journey without rushing a decision or closing doors prematurely.
Under the Burgundy Book (the national conditions of service for school teachers in England and Wales), most classroom teachers are required to give two months’ notice if they intend to leave at the end of a term. For Spring Term departures (term end usually 30 April), that means resignations should be submitted by 28 February to comply with notice expectations. National Education Union
This framework exists to support schools in planning staff continuity and to reduce disruption for pupils.
But here’s the key part:
This is an administrative deadline, not an instruction that you must leave. It’s simply the point by which notice must ordinarily be given if you want to depart a post at the end of a term. National Education Union
Teacher retention and staffing continuity are major sector challenges in the UK. Research shows that teachers’ intentions to stay or leave are influenced by job satisfaction, workload, and working conditions — not arbitrary calendar dates. NFER
Meanwhile, a major evidence review commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) explores the role of flexible working approaches in supporting retention and motivation. The research highlights that flexible working can be a meaningful factor in recruiting and retaining educators, particularly where workload pressures are high. EEF+1
That insight matters: the resignation notice deadline doesn’t by itself reflect the health of your career choices. Longer-term planning does.
Many educators find that exploring flexible or longer appointments before making formal decisions is wiser than hastily handing in notice.
Choosing roles that offer:
can mean you build momentum in your career without needing to resign first.
Humly’s networks and role matching can help you proactively plan your next step — whether that’s a long-term placement, flexible engagement across settings, or simply understanding how your next move fits into your goals.
Explore flexible teaching opportunities with Humly:
https://humly.co.uk/for-educators
Here’s how to turn the deadline into a career checkpoint, not a crossroads you rush through:
Ask yourself:
This kind of reflection keeps you in control.
If you’re in an academy or independent school, notice periods can vary — always check your actual contract terms rather than assuming one set rule applies. National Education Union
Providers like Humly support educators in career exploration, before you make irreversible decisions. Confidence comes from clarity, not anxiety.
The evidence base around flexible working for teachers shows that:
Applying these insights to your own situation means viewing the February resignation notice deadline as a benchmark, not an ultimatum.
Yes — 28 February is generally the notice period cut-off for classroom teachers intending to leave at the end of Spring Term. National Education Union
But your career deserves thoughtful planning, not panic.
With Humly, you can explore long-term and flexible roles that align with your professional goals and safeguarding your wellbeing — without prematurely closing off options.
To see what’s available now, start here:
https://humly.co.uk/for-educators
31 January is a key deadline in the education calendar, but it does not apply to all teachers in the same way. For most classroom teachers, resignation deadlines depend on contract terms and the end-of-term notice period, not January alone.
No. You do not need to resign simply because the date is approaching. January should be treated as a planning point to reflect on your options, not a trigger to hand in your notice.
The January deadline exists primarily to support workforce planning in schools. It allows leaders to plan staffing for the next term and year, rather than being about encouraging teachers to leave.
Yes. Many teachers explore long-term or flexible roles while remaining in post. Looking at options early gives you clarity without forcing a rushed decision.
No. Missing January does not block future career moves. Teachers can still plan changes for later terms or the next academic year.
No. Flexible and long-term roles can support career development by offering varied experience, better balance, and time to plan your next step carefully.
Teachers should focus on reflecting on workload, wellbeing, and career goals. Understanding what kind of role or balance you want next is more valuable than making a rushed decision.
Yes. Long-term roles often give schools and teachers time to assess fit, and they can lead to permanent opportunities when the timing is right.
