Free Resignation Letter Templates for Word: 8 Easy Letters
Choose your paper size, preview every letter, then download your Word templates in one small ZIP file.
Made by a teacherA4 and US Letter8 Word documentsFree
These free resignation letter templates give you 8 Word documents: four letters on A4 with UK wording and the same four on US Letter with US wording, including two weeks’ notice. Choose a standard letter, a short and simple one, a teacher resignation letter or a warm thank you letter. I’m Patrick Elliott, a teacher and Inclusion Lead. I have written resignation letters myself and helped colleagues write theirs, so I know a clear, kind letter makes the last few weeks in a job much easier.
In this guide, you’ll find which letter suits you, what to include, how to fill it in on screen, and what teachers need to know about resignation dates.
What’s in the Resignation Letter Templates
| Paper | Version | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | Standard | Formal notice, thanks and an offer to help with the handover |
| A4 | Short and Simple | Two short paragraphs, polite and to the point |
| A4 | Teacher | School wording for teachers and school staff |
| A4 | Thank You | A warmer letter for an employer you have enjoyed working for |
| US Letter | Standard | Formal notice, thanks and an offer to help with the handover |
| US Letter | Short and Simple | Two short paragraphs, polite and to the point |
| US Letter | Teacher | School wording for teachers and school staff |
| US Letter | Thank You | A warmer letter for an employer you have enjoyed working for |
👉 Sample words such as Job title and Last working day are click-and-type boxes: click it once and type to replace it, and click the date to pick it from a calendar.
👉 There is no Word Made Easy logo on these letters, so they are ready to send to your employer as they are.
Which Resignation Letter Should You Use?
- Standard: formal notice, your last working day, a thank you and an offer to help with the handover. Right for most jobs.
- Short and simple: two short paragraphs, polite and to the point, when you would rather keep it brief.
- Teacher: school wording, with a leaving date at the end of a term in the UK or the end of the school year in the US, and a promise to hand over planning and pupil records.
- Thank you: a warmer letter for a manager and team you have enjoyed working with, when you want to leave on the best terms.
What to Include in a Resignation Letter
Keep it short and positive. Include the date, your manager’s name, a clear sentence saying that you are resigning from your job title, your last working day, a thank you, and an offer to help with the handover. You do not need to give a reason for leaving.
How to Write Your Resignation Letter in Word
- Open the letter and click Your Name at the top, then type your name, address, phone and email.
- Click the date line and pick today’s date from the calendar.
- Click Manager name and the address lines and type your manager’s details.
- Click Job title, Company name and Last working day in the letter and type your own details.
- Read the letter through and change any sentence you like, then save it with File > Save As and print it to sign.
Resignation Dates for Teachers
In UK maintained schools that follow the Burgundy Book, teachers usually resign by 31 October to leave on 31 December, by 28 February to leave on 30 April, or by 31 May to leave on 31 August. Headteachers need to give an extra month. Academies and independent schools can set their own dates, so check your contract.
In the US, teaching contracts usually run for the whole school year, and many districts set a date in spring for teachers to say they are not returning. Check your contract and district policy before you hand in your letter.
How to Send Your Resignation Letter
Hand your manager a signed printed copy in person if you can, and email a PDF as well, so there is a clear record of the date you gave notice.
FAQs
Should I tell my manager before I hand in the letter?
Yes, if you can. A short conversation first is more respectful, and the letter then confirms it in writing.
Do I have to give a reason for leaving?
No. You can give a reason if you want to, but a resignation letter does not need one.
How much notice do I need to give?
Check your contract. In the UK it is often one month, and in the US two weeks is the usual courtesy.
Should I email or print my resignation letter?
Both if you can: hand over a signed printed copy and email a PDF so there is a dated record.
Can I change the wording?
Yes. Every sentence is ordinary Word text, so you can change, add or remove anything.
Is there a letter for teachers?
Yes. The teacher letter uses school wording, with UK and US versions for the end of a term or school year.
Can I take back my resignation?
Only if your employer agrees. Once notice is given, it is up to them whether to accept a change of mind.
Conclusion
These resignation letter templates help you leave a job clearly and kindly, human-made by a teacher and ready to fill in from Word.
Choose your paper size above, download the ZIP, and if you want headed paper for your own letters try the letterhead templates.
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