New job / Contract / Notice

[estornudar]

I have found out today that I have a new job and so need to hand my notice in at my current school. I have received a formal written offer (subject to references and DBS checks) but obviously won't receive a contract before 31st May as the DBS will take longer. Is it standard to resign with only the formal written offer of employment? I don't have any other choice I guess but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing; it's been so long since I last changed jobs!

I moved recently and I handed in my notice as soon as I received my formal written offer (they had to wait a while for the DBS to come through). I wanted to give my previous school plenty of time to replace - however I do get that some people might be nervous handing in without anything confirmed, however, the few times I've moved around I've done it once I got written offer (mostly because I felt I always left my schools in good circumstances and wanted to do my best to ensure they had plenty of time to find someone).

Written offer is usually sufficient. Contacts can sometimes take months depending on the efficiency of the employer!