Do teachers have to follow STPCD dates for redundancy notice?

Redundancy notice does not have to align with the three STPCD windows, but in practice LA-maintained schools often extend the effective date of termination to the next window (31 December, 30 April or 31 August) to align with academic terms. Extended notice is paid throughout.

How much redundancy pay do teachers get?

Statutory: 0.5-1.5 weeks per year of service depending on age, capped at 20 years and £719 weekly pay (2025-26). Maximum statutory: £21,570. Burgundy Book enhanced terms in many LA schemes provide 2x-3x statutory plus removed weekly-pay cap - materially larger figures for professional teachers.

Do academies use Burgundy Book?

Not by default - academies are not legally bound by the Burgundy Book. Most large MATs adopt Burgundy Book equivalents. Some free schools and small single academies use bare statutory terms. Check the trust HR handbook and specific contract.

What happens to my Teachers Pension?

TPS membership ends on the effective date of termination. Options: deferred pension (payable at Normal Pension Age), early retirement pension (age 55+ with actuarial reduction), ill-health retirement, or refund of contributions if under 2 years membership.

Can I appeal a teacher redundancy?

Yes to the governing body or MAT board within the deadline (usually 5-10 working days). External routes: unfair dismissal (2 years service), discrimination (day one, no qualifier), or redundancy pay claim. Union support via NEU or NASUWT throughout the process.

Teacher Redundancy UK (2026): Notice, Pay, Local Authority + Academies

Why this matters right now

Teacher redundancies rose 24 per cent in 2024-25 driven by school-funding pressures, falling pupil numbers in some regions, and academy consolidation. Understanding the specific timing rules (STPCD resignation windows apply even to redundancy) and the enhanced Burgundy Book terms available in LA-maintained schools can materially improve the exit package.

Which framework applies

School type	Framework
LA-maintained community/foundation school	Burgundy Book + STPCD + statutory
LA-maintained voluntary aided/controlled	Burgundy Book + STPCD + statutory
Academy (single or MAT)	Contract-specific; many adopt Burgundy Book equivalents
Free school	Contract-specific; often shorter notice
Independent school	Contract-specific; often longer notice
Sixth-form college	Depends on incorporation; often FE terms

Notice and STPCD windows

Even redundancy notice must align with the three STPCD resignation windows:

31 October → last day 31 December (autumn term).
28 February → last day 30 April (spring term).
31 May → last day 31 August (summer term).

Employers issuing redundancy notice outside these windows often extend the effective date of termination to align with the next window. See teacher resignation dates.

Case example: extended notice to next STPCD window

A Year 4 teacher in a LA-maintained primary school was told in mid-March 2025 that her role was redundant due to reduced pupil numbers. Rather than terminate at 30 April (spring term end), the local authority extended the effective date to 31 August 2025 to align with the summer-term STPCD window. Full pay continued through the extended period. Statutory redundancy calculated at age 34, 8 years service, £719 weekly cap = £5,752. Plus Burgundy Book enhanced terms (2x statutory in this LA) doubled the figure to £11,504. Extended pay period plus enhanced redundancy total: approximately £22,000 gross.

Statutory redundancy pay for teachers

Standard statutory formula applies:

0.5 week per year under age 22.
1 week per year aged 22-40.
1.5 weeks per year aged 41+.

Capped at 20 years service and £719/week (2025-26). Maximum: £21,570.

Requires 2 years continuous service at the effective date of termination. Successive teacher contracts across academic years usually count as continuous service.

Enhanced Burgundy Book terms

The Burgundy Book (Conditions of Service for School Teachers) is the national conditions document referenced by most LA-maintained school contracts. Local authorities operating enhanced redundancy schemes often provide:

2x-3x statutory multiplier.
Removed £719 weekly-pay cap (uses actual weekly pay).
Extended notice paid to the next STPCD window.
Redeployment support within the LA.

Enhanced schemes vary by LA - check with the union (NEU, NASUWT) or LA HR for specific terms.

Academy trust redundancy

Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) set their own redundancy terms. Common approaches:

Adopt Burgundy Book equivalents (most large MATs).
Use own trust-wide redundancy scheme with defined enhancements.
Follow bare statutory (small MATs, single academies).

Check the trust HR handbook and any published redundancy policy. Union representation via NEU or NASUWT applies as normal.

TPS pension impact

Teachers Pension Scheme membership ends on the effective date of termination. Options:

Deferred pension (payable at Normal Pension Age).
Early retirement pension (age 55+ with actuarial reduction).
Ill-health retirement if applicable.
Refund of contributions if under 2 years scheme membership (rare for career teachers).

McCloud remedy applies to transitions between older sections and 2015 Scheme. TPS pension enhancement is sometimes negotiable as part of a settlement package - take specialist pension advice.

Appeal and tribunal routes

Internal appeal to the governing body or MAT board within the deadline (usually 5-10 working days). External routes:

Unfair dismissal (2 years service required for ordinary; day-one for automatic-unfair).
Discrimination (Equality Act 2010; no service qualifier).
Redundancy pay claim (if underpaid or wrongly denied).
Union support via NEU or NASUWT throughout.

ACAS Early Conciliation compulsory before tribunal. Time limit 3 months less one day of the effective date of termination for unfair dismissal.

Useful calculators

Related guides

Authority pages

Frequently asked questions

Do teachers have to follow STPCD dates for redundancy notice?: Redundancy notice does not have to align with the three STPCD windows, but in practice LA-maintained schools often extend the effective date of termination to the next window (31 December, 30 April or 31 August) to align with academic terms. Extended notice is paid throughout.
How much redundancy pay do teachers get?: Statutory: 0.5-1.5 weeks per year of service depending on age, capped at 20 years and £719 weekly pay (2025-26). Maximum statutory: £21,570. Burgundy Book enhanced terms in many LA schemes provide 2x-3x statutory plus removed weekly-pay cap - materially larger figures for professional teachers.
Do academies use Burgundy Book?: Not by default - academies are not legally bound by the Burgundy Book. Most large MATs adopt Burgundy Book equivalents. Some free schools and small single academies use bare statutory terms. Check the trust HR handbook and specific contract.
What happens to my Teachers Pension?: TPS membership ends on the effective date of termination. Options: deferred pension (payable at Normal Pension Age), early retirement pension (age 55+ with actuarial reduction), ill-health retirement, or refund of contributions if under 2 years membership.
Can I appeal a teacher redundancy?: Yes to the governing body or MAT board within the deadline (usually 5-10 working days). External routes: unfair dismissal (2 years service), discrimination (day one, no qualifier), or redundancy pay claim. Union support via NEU or NASUWT throughout the process.

Sources and further reading

STPCD 2024 — Statutory pay and conditions document.
Burgundy Book: Conditions of Service for School Teachers — Local Government Association reference.
Teachers Pensions — TPS reference.
NEU: Redundancy — National Education Union guidance.
Employment Rights Act 1996, section 86 — Statutory minimum notice.

General information about UK employment law, not legal advice. For your situation, contact ACAS or an employment-law solicitor.