Quit teaching job without working notice (3months)

[autumnglo]

I am working as a teacher at the moment. I am in my mid 20s - I love the children, but the politics of the job are getting me down, and it's just very toxic in school at the moment post covid and with Ofsted looming. It's all making me reflect on my choices and I don't think it's the job for me anymore, it's ruining my personal life and starting to impact my mental health. I am not sleeping, I spend all weekend thinking about school work, dreading Monday and shopping/planning for work. I have had a few really successful years, but now I feel like my heart isn't in it anymore and it's beginning to show at work. I feel like I need to walk away now, asap, before things move downhill. It's been a good few years and it would be nice to leave on okay terms. It's just simply time for me to move on.

So my question... Usually I understand that you give a half terms notice? So I should give notice in before 31st October to leave after Christmas. This is making it difficult to apply for jobs as I would be looking at a January start date. However, I have not signed a contract of employment for the last two years (since my very first temporary NQT contract which has long since expired - I've since then completed another 12 months on a new temporary contract and started on a permanent contract)
Legally, where does this leave me? Would I be in breach of contract for giving less notice, when actually I have not signed a contract committing to anything since 2 temporary contracts have expired and I'm now on a new permanent contract.

I don't want to leave anyone in a difficult situation, and I wouldn't just walk out tomorrow, I am willing to give a few weeks. But I really do feel it's in everyone's best interests if it's not in over three months time.

@autumnglo I really do know how you feel. For me the worry and stress all ended the moment I handed in my notice. Once you know you're going, you're free, and it really does change everything. People even commented that I looked different afterwards!

I'm taking a career break at the moment, and am going back to university shortly to do postgrad study in my degree subject area. I just needed a break from working and a chance to figure out where I want the next stage of my life to take me, and I saved up to make it possible for me to not work for a while. I've been teaching for a decade, so it felt like the right time for a change. When it comes to finding work again, I'm thinking I'll probably look for a job in the charity sector, or the arts, probably with a focus on education within the arts - perhaps in a theatre or museum, or maybe campaigning or fundraising. I do a lot of volunteer work and had a previous career in the charity sector before teaching, so I've kept my hand in with third sector skills and contacts, which I'm hoping will come in handy. Either that, or I might do my PhD, and just be an eternal student!

Remember that teaching gives you so many transferable skills. When you have time and are in the right headspace, write a list of all the things - no matter how small - you do every day. Then group them into skill categories. You'll be surprised by how many boxes you'll tick on all manner of job descriptions - it might not be the same industry/sector, but the skills will be the same. What are you passionate about? Do you have any idea of what you might like to do?

@Holskey

Your update sounds so much like my story of my first school. I went to the doctors and he wrote me a letter saying the job was adversely affecting my mental health. I sent that with my own letter to the Head. Job done. Let me go, wished me well, probably hated me for it but I didn't care!

Did you go to another school?

Would you be interested in doing tutoring when you leave? With Covid & how much school most pupils have lost there is loads of work available for good tutors. We had a great maths tutor for ds, he was head of maths at a local school & said he could have worked 24/7 as there was so much work. I know a couple of families with primary age children who have been using a tutor to get their children up to speed ready for secondary school.

As an ex teacher who understands how bad it can be and has been there, my advice would be dont resign atm. Make an appt with your doctor and get signed off. Give yourself some detachment and thinking room. Then and only then if you still want to leave go for it. Totally agree once your resignation is in you will feel much better. Nothing can really get to you anymore. I should have felt gutted and upset when I resigned but I couldn't take the grin off my face.

Will having leave for sickness on my record not impact on getting a different job? Surely I will have to tell them I'm signed off with stress?

@autumnglo

Will having leave for sickness on my record not impact on getting a different job? Surely I will have to tell them I'm signed off with stress?

Nope.

But I would talk to the head first. Just state you aren’t feeling the job, it’s having an affect of MH, you want to quit, what can they do.

This chat alone can make things better.

*better - as I’m not feel alone

Both times I handed my teaching notice in under similar circumstances, I ended up working my notice, but not with my current class. (Now finally escaped teaching in school).

First time they recruited my replacement in a couple of weeks and used me as as PPA/sick cover for the rest of the school.

Second time (years later), Covid hit and I was sent home to shield. I took the books home to sort and planned work for the kids to do at home, but never ended up back at the school.

I'd resign ASAP and you may well find the head lines up a replacement for after half term. You may have to work your notice out, but in a different way.

@autumnglo

Will having leave for sickness on my record not impact on getting a different job? Surely I will have to tell them I'm signed off with stress?

No. They can’t divulge absence info on a reference.