Notice period

[missh2022]

I have handed my notice in at my current school (two weeks before the end of the term). I am not a senior leader or leading a subject at present. Our contracts state that we must give one full terms notice to leave meaning my end date is 31/12/2022. This would mean I have given 6 months and 1 weeks notice. Am I right to ask if this can be shortened by any length of time. I have seen two jobs local to me that I would really like to apply for and these would both require an October start. My position is already out for advert.

TIA

Are you in an independent school by any chance?

I thought state school teachers only have to give 2 months notice (or 3 months in the summer).

In state schools it is 31 Oct to leave at Christmas, 28 Feb to leave at Easter or 31 May to leave in the summer. The only way to flex that is with the approval of the head. Have you asked them?

There are three notice dates for state school teachers (see PP above).
Since you missed 31st May, you are effectively giving notice at the next notice date of 31st October even though you told them before the end of last term.
Maybe if they manage to recruit your replacement early next term they will release you?

I changed school recently. From one state primary to another (different London boroughs). I had to give 2 months notice according to my contract - I gave slightly more. It was back in February and I started at my new school after the Easter holidays. So those 3 dates aren't the only times you can be released!

Also, in the school before that one, I missed the 31st May deadline and resigned a few weeks later in June. I was still released to start at the new school in the September. There were other reasons I was allowed to leave though.

So what I'm saying is, check your contract and then speak to your Head afterwards. It's not always as black and white as it looks!

Also even if you can’t change the leave date , apply to the October start jobs saying when you are available. If you are the right person they will wait- I applied for a job with a Jan start but couldn’t start until April and it wasn’t a problem.

It’s up to the head’s discretion. Technically correct that it would be leaving at the tend of the Autumn term. You might be able to negotiate this with your current head- depending on if they can fill your role.

As a head myself, I have released people from contract early but that was only because I could fill the role internally. Interviewing and recruiting takes time. In my LA, it can take up to 5/6 weeks to get contracts/ DBS/ health checks through. I wouldn’t want children to suffer with supply cover whilst waiting to recruit.
You need to talk to your headteacher. They may have cover internally