Tier 2 General Change of Sponsorship Before ILR

[justadrone]

I have some questions about changing my sponsor and how it affects ILR. I am on a Tier 2 General visa and should be eligible for ILR in June. I currently teach in an international school. However, there is a job at a different school I am very interested in pursuing. The problem is that although it is hiring now, it does not start until August, and if I were to leave my current job, I would do so at the end of this school year (end of June).

It is my understanding that to receive ILR I will need a letter from my current sponsor saying that I am still working in the job they hired me for and that they still need me in that job. However, they would by that point be fully aware that I will be leaving my job soon after to start a new one, and I have serious doubts that they would be willing to write such a letter under those circumstances.

I know it is possible to change sponsors, but when doing so, am I required to apply for a completely new visa? Would that prevent me from getting ILR? Could the new sponsor write the sponsorship letter on my behalf even though my visa was granted under a different sponsor?

I could stay in my current job for another year, but this new job is a really excellent opportunity that might not come again.

Thanks!