Can a teacher take back a resignation?

Once a teacher has resigned, there is no right to take it back. NASUWT’s guidance for England and Wales says you cannot retract a resignation unless your employer allows it, and the employer does not have to. Acas says the same: your employer can refuse a request to withdraw, though in some situations they should give it serious consideration. Those situations are below.

What the guidance says

The Acas page on resigning (last updated 30 June 2026) tells employees who change their mind to say so straight away. It names two situations where an employer should think hard before refusing:

• you changed your mind very quickly after resigning
• your state of mind was affected at the time by something like a health condition or a bereavement

Acas describes both as things the employer should consider. Neither gives you a right to withdraw.

Speed matters more in a school than elsewhere

Once a school has your resignation it will usually start recruiting a replacement. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that someone has been interviewed or offered the job, and the harder it is for the school to say yes.

If you want to take your notice back, tell the headteacher the same day if you can, then confirm in writing. Say that you are asking to withdraw your resignation and give the date you handed it in. Keep a copy. NASUWT advises handing in notice in writing and keeping a copy so there is no dispute about timing, and the same habit protects you here.

If you resigned in a difficult moment

Some teachers resign after a bad day, a hard observation or a run of weeks that were simply too much. Tell the head. Someone who knows the background can consider whether the decision was made in the heat of the moment, and Acas names state of mind as a reason to give a request serious thought.

If the underlying problem is still there, such as workload, a dispute or how you have been treated, ask your union for advice before you go back to the head. NASUWT asks members having difficulties in their school to contact the union so that advice can be tailored to their case. The trade unions guide explains what unions offer, and the grievance guide covers the formal route.

What if the school says no

If the school refuses, your notice stands and your leaving date is the one the resignation set. For maintained schools in England and Wales that is normally 31 December, 30 April or 31 August, depending on when you gave notice. The teacher resignation deadlines guide has the dates.

If you and the head settle on something in between, such as a different leaving date, get it in writing.

Resigning while you have another job lined up

The opposite problem is more common. You accept a new post, resign, and then the new offer falls through, perhaps because a reference or a check comes back late. NASUWT warns that it is generally not advisable to resign earlier than the deadlines unless you already have an unconditional offer in writing. Many school offers are conditional on checks, so wait for the unconditional offer before you hand in notice. Once notice is given, you are in the position described above.

Where the rules differ

The source here is NASUWT guidance for England and Wales. The union publishes separate guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland, where teachers’ terms differ. Academy teachers are covered by their own contracts, which may or may not copy the Burgundy Book dates. Acas’s general advice on changing your mind is written for employees, and does not single out teachers.

What to check

• your contract, for how notice must be given and who receives it
• whether a replacement has already been advertised or appointed
• that your request to withdraw is in writing, dated, and copied to you
• whether a union rep can speak to the head with you
• if you have a new job offer, whether it is unconditional and in writing

If you do leave, the early release guide covers asking to go sooner than your notice date.