When do teaching jobs come out?
By George Wilks · Fact-checked against official sources on 11 Nov 2026 · Updated 11 Nov 2026
Short answer
Teaching jobs come out all year, but they follow the teacher resignation deadlines. The biggest wave is January to May, for jobs starting in September. Smaller waves come in September to November for January starts, and January to February for jobs starting after Easter. Leadership posts tend to come out earliest.
Key facts
- Biggest wave: January to May, for September starts
- January starts: advertised September to November
- After-Easter starts: advertised January to February
- Leadership posts: often a term or more ahead
- New jobs on SchoolJobs in the last 30 days: 4,771
The teaching jobs calendar
| Start date | Teachers resign by | Jobs mostly come out |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 October | September to November |
| After Easter (May) | 28 February | January to February |
| September | 31 May | January to May, with late jobs in June to August |
Why the timing works like this
Most teachers can only leave at the end of a term and must resign by a fixed date. Schools learn about leavers as those dates approach, so adverts follow them. Many teachers secure a new post first and then resign, which is why the September wave builds from January and peaks before 31 May.
Which jobs come out first
- Headteacher and senior leadership posts: often advertised in the autumn or early spring, because heads give longer notice.
- Shortage subjects such as maths, physics and computing: schools advertise early to give themselves time.
- Early career teacher (ECT) posts: mostly January to June, while trainees finish their courses.
- Maternity cover and fixed-term posts: all year, as soon as the school knows.
What about support staff jobs?
Teaching assistant, admin, site and catering roles usually have one month's notice, so they come out all year. Peaks are the summer term for September and November to December for January.
How to be first to see new jobs
Set up a free job alert for your role and area before the wave you're aiming for, keep your supporting statement and referees ready, and apply early: some schools interview before the closing date.
Live jobs and pay right now
From live adverts on SchoolJobs. Pay comes from our salary guide; it's hidden when there isn't enough evidence.
2026/27 advertised pay £34,069 per year – £51,047 per year · midpoint £42,558 per year (based on 72 adverts)Salary guide · Pay calculator
Latest teacher jobs
£41,729–£54,131 a year
Fixed term - until July 2027Part time · Temporary· Closes 4 Dec
Posted 1 day ago
via Teaching Vacancies
£6,107 FTE
PermanentFull time· Closes 1 Dec
Posted 2 days ago
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£32,916–£51,048 a year (actual)
PermanentFull time· Closes 30 Nov
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via Teaching Vacancies
Resignation deadline calculator
Enter the date you want to leave and see the last day to hand in your notice.
Open the tool →Frequently asked questions
What month are most teaching jobs posted?
Most September teaching jobs are posted between January and May.
Is it too late to look for a September teaching job in June?
No. Late vacancies appear until August, especially after 31 May resignations.
When do schools advertise jobs for September?
Mostly January to May; see our September hiring calendar for the month-by-month detail.
Sources
Related answers
When do schools advertise jobs for September?
Most teaching jobs starting in September are advertised between January and May, with a final rush around the 31 May resignation deadline. Support staff jobs are advertised all year, with peaks before September and January. The best time to start looking for a September teaching post is January.
Can teachers hand in their notice before Christmas?
Yes, but to leave at Christmas a teacher's resignation must be received by 31 October; headteachers need theirs in by 30 September. In 2026, 31 October is a Saturday, so hand it in by Friday 30 October. If you resign in November or December, you would normally leave on 30 April 2027 unless your school agrees to release you early.
What is a headteacher's notice period?
Under the Burgundy Book, a headteacher gives three months' notice, or four months to leave at the end of the summer term. That means resigning by 30 September to leave on 31 December, by 31 January to leave on 30 April, or by 30 April to leave on 31 August. Many academies use the same dates, but check your contract.
What is a teaching assistant's notice period?
A teaching assistant's notice period is whatever their contract says, and in most schools that's one month. Unlike teachers, TAs aren't tied to the 31 October, 28 February and 31 May deadlines, so you can usually leave at any point in the year. The legal minimum is one week once you've worked for a month.