Leaving the classroom for good is rarely a decision people make lightly. For a lot of people, the thought of stepping away from teaching begins as a quiet question at the back of their mind before growing into something harder to ignore. If you're wondering how to get out of teaching, this article is written for you. Across the UK, more and more teachers are reaching a point where the demands of the job are heavily outweighing the rewards. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to step away from teaching in a smooth and easy manner - including writing a resignation letter, understanding notice periods, and preparing yourself both financially and emotionally for a new start.
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Why Teachers Decide to Leave Teaching
Of course, every teacher has their own stories, but many share the same pressures. Things like long hours, heavy workloads, and the constant weight of accountability can slowly take a toll.
Likewise, it's not unusual for many to run supplementary revision sessions during their lunch breaks and after school. Some even teach English online after hours.
What starts as enthusiasm for teaching in the classroom often slowly turns into exhaustion, and for some, even burnout. A sizable percentage of teachers in the UK have seriously considered leaving their profession at some point.
Why is this? Check out the reasons below:
For others, the decision to leave teaching is rooted firmly in mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, factors like stress, anxiety, and the feeling of being permanently “on call” outside school hours are common problems. In fact, as per data from recent surveys, a staggering 84 % of teachers reported that their job negatively impacted their mental health within the past year.
Whatever your reason, choosing to move on to a new career does not diminish the years you've invested in education. Instead, it means you've recognised that staying has become unsustainable - and that leaving your teaching career behind is the next best step in feeling happier and more fulfilled as a person.
Knowing When It's Time to Leave Teaching
For many teachers, the hardest part of leaving isn't actually writing the resignation letter - it's admitting to themselves that it's time to go. Teaching has this way of becoming a part of a person's identity. As a result, it's quite common for people to make excuses for staying in a certain role even when unhappy.
Burnout usually shows up as constant feelings of exhaustion, stress that affects sleep and relationships, a lower threshold for patience with students, and a loss of motivation in the classroom. Research in the UK suggests nearly half of teachers experience these symptoms, often alongside working 50 or more hours a week.
Likewise, feelings of guilt can also play a role. Most teachers have worked with their pupils and colleagues for years, and the thought of stepping down can feel like letting people down. However, putting yourself first is important, and most teachers eventually realise leaving isn't a selfish act. Rather, it's a way of protecting your health and giving yourself a chance to recover a sense of balance and normality.
Common Signs It Might Be Time To Leave
Not sure whether you're going through a small phase or if you're truly fed up of teaching? If you've been experiencing the symptoms listed below for six months or more, it might be worth reevaluating/examining your current role.
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Planning Your Exit Before You Hand in Notice
Once you've made the decision to leave, it's tempting to hand in your resignation right away. Planning your exit carefully will save you a lot of stress later on. Thinking ahead gives you time to sort out finances, check your contract, and make sure you're stepping away on your own terms.
Rushing to resign can create a lot of problems down the line, especially if you haven't checked things like notice periods, pension contributions, financial commitments, and other crucial details. A little prep now can make your final weeks much smoother and stress-free.
Planning Your Exit From Teaching - a 5 Step Road Map
Step 1
Review your Finances
Start by working out how long your current savings will last and plan for a possible income gap. Look at stuff like monthly expenses and consider cutting back where you can in case of an emergency. Likewise, check out your Teachers' Pension Scheme statements so you understand how leaving affects contributions
Step 2
Check Your Contract Carefully
Teaching contracts often tie resignations to strict term dates. Missing one can delay your departure by a whole term, so make sure you read it carefully and make a note of the deadlines. If unsure of something, speak to your union.
Step 3
Seek Advice and Support
Your union or HR team can explain your rights and help with tricky situations, such as wanting to leave earlier than your notice allows. Having this guidance makes the process less daunting.
Step 4
Prepare Your Resignation Letter
Draft your resignation letter well in advance. Keep it short and professional - thank the school, state your leaving date and avoid too many unnecessary details. A clear letter helps protect references and future opportunities.
Step 5
Focus on Your Wellbeing
The run-up to leaving is bound to be emotional. Try to share your decision with close and supportive friends and family, and reduce any extra duties in the lead-up if possible, so you can take time to focus on yourself.
Money and Pensions: What to Know Before Resigning
For a large percentage of teachers, their most pressing concern when moving on is what is going to happen to their income and long-term pension. Although it's not the most exciting topic, getting to grips with the basics now can save you from a bunch of unwanted surprises down the line.
Teacher's Pension Scheme
Don't worry, leaving your job as a teacher doesn't usually mean you lose any pension you've built up over the years, especially if you've been teaching for a long time:
- With two or more years of qualifying service, your pension stays in the scheme. It becomes “deferred” and will be paid when you reach pension age (currently linked to your State Pension age, between 66–68 depending on birth year).
- With less than two years' service, you may still be able to take a refund of what you've contributed. Keep in mind this excludes employer contributions and is also subject to tax.
- You can also transfer your pension scheme into another qualifying scheme if you start a new role in a different sector or a role that offers one.
If a teacher has to leave teaching due to redundancy, they may be entitled to a sum of money known as severance pay that will be paid when they leave the position. That includes voluntary redundancy and, in some cases, mutually agreed resignation.
How To Resign From a Teaching Job in the UK
Generally, resigning from a teaching role comes down to three things: timing, paperwork, and how you word your letter. As a rule, the majority of schools in England and Wales follow the Burgundy Book dates, which fix resignations to the end of term. If you end up missing the deadline, you'll usually need to stay until the next term finishes. Knowing these rules ahead of time makes the overall process easier and will help you leave on the right footing.
| Role | Give Notice By | Final Day of Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers | 31 October | 31 December (end of autumn term) |
| Teachers | 28/29 February | 30 April (end of spring term) |
| Teachers | 31 May | 31 August (end of summer term) |
| Headteachers | 30 September | 31 December (end of autumn term) |
| Headteachers | 31 January | 30 April (end of spring term) |
| Headteachers | 30 April | 31 August (end of summer term) |
Who to Notify
If you're a classroom teacher, your resignation should be addressed to the headteacher. For headteachers, the correct recipient is the chair of governors. You can copy your HR into your email or hand them a copy, but your line manager isn't the person who handles formal resignations.
How to Hand in Your Notice
Your resignation has to be in writing, and it has to arrive before the deadline. Many teachers choose to send an email and follow up with a hard copy delivered to the school office. What matters most is that you can prove it reached the right person on time. Keep a copy of your letter email trail for your own records.
What Happens Next
After you hand in your letter, ask for written confirmation of your leaving date and final salary. In most schools, pay continues until the end of term (even though pupils break up earlier). Also, arrange a short meeting with your headteacher or HR to agree on a handover of classes, reports, etc.
Bear in mind that if you miss the deadline, your school might require you to stay until the end of next term. Walking away without an agreement can be classed as a breach of contract, harming future references. Genuinely need to leave earlier? Have a word with your union. In rare cases, schools may agree to an early release or payment in lieu of notice.
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