Notice periods for school staff

Find out how much notice teachers, headteachers and support staff must give in maintained schools and academies.

Last reviewed on 5 September 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 1876
Contents
  1. Maintained schools
  2. Academies

Maintained schools

Notice periods for teachers and headteachers are set out in the Burgundy Book, while notice periods for support staff are set out in the Green Book. 

The terms of these documents apply to staff employed in community and voluntary controlled schools, plus voluntary aided and foundation schools that have decided to adopt them (most do). 

If your staff aren't employed under these terms, check what their contracts say about notice periods.

You can access the documents from the key documents section of the National Education Union (NEU) website, or read our summary of the Burgundy and Green Books.

Teachers 

The Burgundy Book outlines the term dates and minimum notice periods. Even if your actual terms have different end dates, you should still use the dates below. 

Term Term end date Minimum notice period Notice deadline Autumn term 31 December 2 months  31 October Spring term 30 April (see