The deadline has come and gone. What happens next?
For teachers across England and Wales, 31 May is one of the most important dates in the education calendar. It is the standard resignation deadline for teachers wishing to leave their current post at the end of the summer term and begin a new role in September.
If you’ve handed in your notice, congratulations. You’ve made a significant career decision.
If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t panic. There are still opportunities available through supply, temporary contracts and schools willing to negotiate release arrangements.
Either way, the focus now shifts from leaving your current role to finding the right next step.
September Recruitment Season Is Underway
June, July and August are some of the busiest months in education recruitment.
Schools are finalising staffing structures, covering unexpected resignations, managing maternity leave arrangements and filling vacancies that weren’t successfully recruited earlier in the year. Many positions that weren’t available in spring suddenly appear during the summer months.
This creates opportunities for teachers at every stage of their career:
- Early Career Teachers looking for their first permanent position.
- Experienced teachers seeking progression.
- Middle leaders ready for promotion.
- Teachers relocating to a new area.
- Professionals returning to the classroom after a break.
The challenge isn’t finding vacancies. The challenge is finding the vacancy that’s right for you.
Why Working With an Agency Can Make Life Easier
Many teachers begin their search by scrolling through job boards. While that can be effective, it often becomes time-consuming.
You apply for multiple roles. You wait. You hear nothing. You repeat the process.
A specialist education recruitment agency can simplify the process considerably.
A good consultant should take the time to understand:
- Your experience.
- Your preferred year groups or subjects.
- Your career ambitions.
- Your commute requirements.
- The type of school environment where you’ll thrive.
Rather than applying for twenty roles and hoping for the best, you can focus on a smaller number of opportunities that genuinely fit your requirements.
Look Beyond Salary
Salary matters. However, it’s rarely the reason teachers stay in a role for the long term.
When considering your next move, ask yourself:
- What type of leadership support do I need?
- Do I want opportunities for progression?
- Am I looking for a smaller school or a larger trust?
- How important is behaviour and culture?
- What work-life balance am I seeking?
The best role on paper isn’t always the best role in reality. A strong agency consultant will often know things that don’t appear in a job advert, such as staff retention, leadership stability, school culture and future development plans.
Consider Supply Teaching as a Strategic Move
Permanent positions aren’t the only route available.
Many teachers use supply work as a way of exploring different schools before committing to a long-term role.
This approach allows you to:
- Experience different school cultures.
- Build local connections.
- Develop confidence in new settings.
- Identify schools where you’d like to work permanently.
In many cases, schools offer permanent positions to supply teachers who have already demonstrated they are a good fit. Think of it as a working interview that lasts longer than a single observation lesson.
Update Your Professional Profile
Before applications and interviews begin in earnest, spend some time getting organised.
Make sure your CV is up to date, safeguarding training is current, references are available, qualifications are documented, and professional achievements are clearly recorded.
Small details can make a significant difference when schools are moving quickly to secure candidates before September.
Don’t Wait Until August
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is assuming recruitment stops over the summer.
In reality, schools often become increasingly urgent as September approaches. Vacancies emerge throughout June, July and August as staffing plans change.
The strongest candidates tend to engage early, build relationships with recruiters and position themselves ahead of the rush.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now
Handing in your notice is only the first step. The exciting part comes next.
Whether you’re looking for progression, a fresh challenge, a better work-life balance or simply a school where you can do your best work, this is one of the best times of year to explore new opportunities.
September represents a fresh start for pupils, schools and teachers alike. If resignation day marked the end of one chapter, now is the perfect time to begin writing the next one.
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