School notice period - HR advice please

[HRAdviceNeededPlease]

Really need some HR advice please! Preferably school related!
ok so - been working as a part time school receptionist for a few months. Money is dire (pro rata) and hugely, hugely struggling. I even got a message last week from the government funded childcare people earlier saying I earn so little I’m not eligible for 30 hours funded childcare. So basically for my children to continue in nursery and for me to be able to work, it needs to be in a better paid job. Cue panic.
I have been offered another job paying more. Can’t afford to hand my notice in this week and not get paid for august, am I a terrible person for considering not handing my notice in until a week or so before school resumes in September so ensuring I still get paid for august? And legally is there anything my current employee can do? As I’ve only been in the post a few months I’m technically still in a probation period where I only need to give a weeks notice. But is there an employment law against giving notice during the holidays even if just working an admin related job?
I genuinely do feel guilty at leaving my employers in the lurch but equally - I have bills I have to pay and mouths I have to feed.
is anyone able to advise please? Thankyou x

Does this help? https://unisonwestsussex.org.uk/news/school-support-staff-notice/

Notice period is a minimum so if you say you’re leaving at the end of August then that is ok

I doubt you've accrued enough service to retain all of the summer holiday pay. So they may ask for that money back.

If you're in probation and the notice required is one week then that's all you give - give it in August. You're not doing anything wrong and let's face it - they don't pay you enough to give it any further thought.
Furthermore, if you get offered an exit interview, take it, and make sure you tell them you are leaving due to the low salary. I know it's public sector and not likely anything can be done about that easily but leaving roles for legitimate difficulties need to be spoken about in order to promote change.

Not something I have any experience in - you may have a point. Hopefully someone with HR education background can advise

Just because it's the school holidays doesn't mean you can't email your resignation in. The Principal and PA are likely to still be in anyway. I've informally given notice in to let them know I'm leaving so that they could get the recruitment ball rolling and in another role dated my resignation as the day before term started but handed it in at the beginning of the holidays.

You'd only accrue enough leave to get all of August paid if you'd been there since September, thanks to Easter, May Day, the Coronation and half term.

However, they would have to ask for it back if you notify them after payday. Which could give you a bit of breathing space to get paid from your new job before making an arrangement to pay it back.

I don’t think you would be paid for all of August if you’ve only been in the job a few months. You have to accrue the holidays if you’re paid pro rata.

So probably best handing in notice now and going straight to your new job.