Resignation Deadline: Temporary Teaching Notice Periods
Temporary work can give you more flexibility over when and where you work, but that doesn’t always mean you can leave a role without notice. If you’re thinking about ending a temporary teaching role, supply assignment or fixed-term position, the first thing to understand is what type of contract you have. Your notice requirements may be very different from those of a permanent teacher, and there isn’t one resignation deadline that applies to every temporary role. Here, we explain what to check, who to speak to and how to move on to your next education role smoothly.
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RESIGNATION GUIDANCE FOR TEMPORARY TEACHERS
Everything You Need to Know About the Resignation Deadline for Temporary Roles
Resignation deadlines differ for temporary roles compared to permanent positions. Whether you are planning a career change, moving to a new school, relocating or just looking to understand when and how to hand your notice in, we will cover your questions on this page.
How Much Notice Do I Need to Give?
Temporary work can give you more flexibility over when and where you work — but that doesn’t always mean you can leave a role without notice.
If you’re thinking about ending a temporary teaching role, supply assignment or fixed-term position, the first thing to understand is what type of contract you have. Your notice requirements may be very different from those of a permanent teacher, and there isn’t one resignation deadline that applies to every temporary role.
Here, we explain what to check, who to speak to and how to move on to your next education role smoothly.
I work through an agency
If you’re working in a school through an agency, your assignment terms and your agreement with the agency will normally explain what happens if you want to finish an assignment early.
Ending an individual school assignment is not necessarily the same as leaving the agency altogether, so speak to your consultant and check your terms before making any decisions.
I’m employed directly on a fixed-term contract
If the school or organisation employs you directly until a specified date, your contract will usually end when that agreed fixed term finishes.
If you want to leave before the agreed end date, check your contract carefully for your notice period and any terms covering early termination.
I’m in a permanent teaching role
Permanent teaching contracts can be subject to term-based resignation dates and longer notice periods.
Check out our Resignation Deadline date for permanent roles here
Key Temporary Resignation Facts
Notice Periods are set by contract
Senior Roles/Longer Service often require longer notice periods
You must work (or be paid for) your notice
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions about resignation day
Do temporary teaching roles have resignation deadlines?
Not usually in the same way as permanent teaching roles.
Temporary and agency roles can have notice requirements, but these are generally determined by your contract, terms of engagement or assignment information rather than one set of education-wide resignation dates.
Always check the terms that apply to your particular role.
Do I need to resign when a fixed-term contract ends?
If you are directly employed on a fixed-term contract and you work through to its agreed end date, the contract will normally end at that point.
If you want to leave before the agreed date, check your contract for any notice period or terms covering early termination.
Can I leave a temporary school assignment early?
Potentially, but you should check your assignment terms first.
If you work through an agency, contact your consultant before finishing the assignment. They can confirm whether any notice applies and help manage the transition with the school.
Do the usual teacher resignation dates apply to temporary teachers?
Not automatically.
The traditional term-based resignation deadlines are most relevant to permanent teachers and contracts that incorporate those notice arrangements. Agency and temporary roles often operate differently.
If you are directly employed by a school on a temporary or fixed-term basis, check your individual contract rather than assuming either set of rules applies.
Who should I tell if I want to finish an agency assignment?
Speak to your agency or Prospero Teaching consultant.
Although it is good practice to maintain open communication with the school, your contractual relationship may be with the agency, so make sure you follow the process in your terms of engagement.
Is ending an assignment the same as leaving the agency?
No, not necessarily.
You might finish one school assignment but remain registered and available for other work through the agency. If you want to stop working with the agency altogether, check your agreement and let them know clearly.
Can I simply stop accepting supply bookings?
If you work on a flexible, assignment-by-assignment basis, you may be able to choose whether to accept future work. However, this is different from cancelling work you have already agreed to or ending an ongoing assignment.
Check your terms and speak to your consultant if you are unsure.
What should I check before accepting my next temporary role?
Make sure you understand who you will be contracted with, how long the assignment is expected to last, your pay and working arrangements, and what notice may apply if the role ends early.
Having this information from the beginning makes it much easier to plan your next move.
What if I am unsure what notice period applies to me?
Start with your contract, terms of engagement or assignment confirmation.
If you are registered with Prospero Teaching, your consultant can also help you understand the information relating to your assignment and what steps you should take next.
Where can I find the latest teaching jobs?
You can find all of the latest jobs tailored to your job role and location here