Teachers: is it easier to get a job while you have a current teaching position?

[sweetpeagarden]

If resigning from a post earlier than intended (say April/Easter), would this affect chances of securing a role for September?
In other words, is it easier to get a job when you already have a current job? Or is it not a problem having just left one post, not being employed while applying for other roles?

It is unlikely to make a huge difference unless you work in a very over subscribed area or one of the few non-shortage subjects. However, there will be practical implications. You will need to leave on good enough terms with the headteacher that they are willing to continue completing references for you during the gap, and you will need to be able to account for the gap in service for safeguarding purposes. The interrruption to your continuous service may have implications for workplace benefits such as sickness or maternity. It shouldn’t affect your pension but you would be wise to check.

Shouldn’t make a difference really - in fact it might be a benefit to the new school as you could start earlier than September.
As a HT though I would question why you haven’t stayed till the end of the academic year.

That’s what I have in the back of my mind…
workload is constantly increasing and SLT are not supporting me in the way that I had hoped. It’s a toxic place and I have been struggling in since going back this academic year. I’ve tried my best to hold out but need a different school environment in order to continue - I feel it would not benefit my wellbeing if I stayed until summer (although of course this would be much easier and look better).
But having said that, if teachers were not allowed or not advised to leave posts mid year why is it that we have 3 resignation dates? I’m just wondering if it will affect my chances in new school for September.
thank you!

There’s nothing to stop you leaving but the reason why it’s possible is because people need to move on a times other than September. Most people can’t afford not to be paid for four months!

Remember if you aren’t going to another teaching job then they can insist you stay until 30 April, which will mean going back for a couple of weeks after Easter.

Remember if you aren’t going to another teaching job then they can insist you stay until 30 April, which will mean going back for a couple of weeks after Easter.

This is an absolutely vital point. We think of ‘leaving at Easter’ but the leaving date is actually 30 April and if you are not going to another school you will be held to this. Easter is early this year so (in my area at least) we are back for the summer term on 8 April. Leaving on 30 April therefore means having to do the first three and a bit weeks of summer 1 and on balance a person might decide that if they have to start the summer term then they might as well see it through and be paid until 31 August. You will have to weigh up the pros and cons for your own situation, assuming you can afford the break financially.

Of course, one way to guarantee actually leaving at Easter is to have another teaching job to go to. Have you looked at the vacancies for a summer term start? There are lots in my area.

I’m looking for summer term vacancies currently, yes. None to be found!
ideally that would be good for me, say if it was a maternity cover just until the summer - I’d be happy for a position like that.
I’ll keep my eye out.

so, on a resignation letter would you be likely to state 30th April as final day of employment?
thank you all