How much notice to give on a fixed term contract?

[MissyB1]

Hi wondering how much notice I have to give if I want to leave my job. I am on a 12 month fixed term contract which has been renewed each year the last 3 years. They refuse to give a permanent contract as it "doesnt suit the organisation".
I would like to give a month's notice, but as it is a school (private), a terms notice is normal. My written contract is very vague on notice.

I think if you are in contract, it has to be by half term… I have known teachers negotiate notice though? Especially if there is a solution, eg someone happy to up their hours in a job where

If it is vague on the contract then what could it hold you to? What is the actual wording? Usually they are perfectly clear 'notice period 1 month' etc.

Are you going to another school?

How much notice do you want to give? If there is a lack of precision or ambiguity in contracts then the benefit of the lack of precision goes against the party that drew up the contract. It would just mean that you are negotiating notice from a position of strength if they insist on a full term and you ask them to point out where in the contract those terms are written.

I want to give one month, could stretch to six weeks if absolutely necessary.
Literally can’t find a notice period in the contract!
Not going to another school, going to a casual job.

@MissyB1

I want to give one month, could stretch to six weeks if absolutely necessary. Literally can’t find a notice period in the contract! Not going to another school, going to a casual job.

I'd say if nothing in the contract then standard for most jobs over 3 months is a month. When does your fixed term contract end?

They really need to rewrite their contract if nothing is mentioned. That's a HR oversight!

Fixed term is August to August. Their HR is crap!

So give them a month's notice and leave. They might try saying that 'everyone knows that it's a term's notice' then just keep pointing out that it's not in your contract. There's really very little that they can do about it.

My opinion with notice periods is that they set them so if they haven't that is their look out.

@AlisonDonut

My opinion with notice periods is that they set them so if they haven't that is their look out.

I agree with this. If it's not in your contract then it's up to you. See below from Citizens Advice.

If you don't have a written contract
If you haven't discussed a notice period and you don't have anything in writing, you should give at least 1 week's notice. If your employer insists you've agreed to longer, ask them what records they have - for example notes from a meeting where you agreed.

My old employer forgot to give me a new contract when they promoted me so I left with a months notice instead of the 3 months expected of the role. Their problem not mine.