Maternity leave is a significant life event, and for teachers in England and Wales, the pay arrangements can be more generous than the statutory minimum thanks to the Burgundy Book conditions of service. Understanding what you are entitled to — and when — allows you to plan your finances during what can be a long period away from the classroom. This guide covers statutory maternity pay, the enhanced Burgundy Book scheme, eligibility criteria, Keeping in Touch days, pension implications, and practical tips for managing the transition.
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
All employed teachers who meet the qualifying conditions are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from the government. SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks and is structured in two phases:
- First 6 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax. There is no cap on this amount — it is based on your actual salary.
- Remaining 33 weeks: The lower of £194 per week or 90% of your AWE.
After the 39 weeks of paid maternity leave, you can take a further 13 weeks of unpaid additional maternity leave, bringing the total possible leave to 52 weeks. SMP is subject to tax and National Insurance in the usual way, so your net payment will be lower than the gross figures above.
Qualifying for SMP
Burgundy Book Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP)
Teachers employed under the Burgundy Book conditions of service — which covers most teachers in local authority maintained schools — receive an enhanced occupational maternity pay scheme that is significantly more generous than SMP alone. The Burgundy Book scheme provides:
- First 4 weeks: Full pay (including any SMP entitlement offset within this).
- Next 2 weeks: 90% of a week's salary (this overlaps with the SMP 90% period).
- Next 12 weeks: Half pay plus SMP (subject to a cap that total pay does not exceed full pay).
- Next 21 weeks: SMP only at £194 per week.
- Final 13 weeks: Unpaid.
Burgundy Book Maternity Pay Breakdown
| Period | Duration | Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | 4 weeks | Full pay |
| Weeks 5-6 | 2 weeks | 90% of salary |
| Weeks 7-18 | 12 weeks | Half pay + SMP |
| Weeks 19-39 | 21 weeks | SMP only (£194/wk) |
| Weeks 40-52 | 13 weeks | Unpaid |
Academy and Free School Teachers
Eligibility for the Burgundy Book Scheme
To qualify for the full Burgundy Book occupational maternity pay, you must have at least 26 weeks' continuous service with your local authority or school by the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. If you have less than 26 weeks' service, you may still qualify for SMP if you meet the statutory requirements, but you will not receive the enhanced occupational pay element.
Additionally, to receive the half-pay element (weeks 7-18), you must confirm your intention to return to work after maternity leave. If you do not return for at least 13 weeks after your maternity leave ends, you may be required to repay the occupational maternity pay (the half-pay element), though not the SMP portion.
Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days
During your maternity leave, you are entitled to work up to 10 Keeping in Touch (KIT) days without bringing your maternity leave or SMP to an end. These are entirely voluntary — neither you nor your employer can insist on them. KIT days can be useful for attending INSET days, departmental meetings, or preparing for your return.
Payment for KIT days is agreed between you and your employer. The most common arrangement is to pay your normal daily rate minus any SMP you receive for that day. Some schools pay the full daily rate on top of SMP. Any work done on a KIT day counts as a full day regardless of how many hours you actually work.
Pension Contributions During Maternity Leave
Your membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme continues during any period of paid maternity leave. During the full-pay and 90% pay periods, your pension contributions are based on the pay you actually receive. During the half-pay and SMP-only periods, your contributions are calculated on the actual pay received, but your pensionable service is credited as if you were receiving full pay. This means your pension is not disadvantaged by taking maternity leave.
During any period of unpaid maternity leave (weeks 40-52), you can choose to pay pension contributions to cover that period, but you are not required to. If you do not pay, you will have a gap in your pensionable service. You can elect to buy back the missing service through an Additional Pension Contract, but this must be arranged within 30 days of returning to work.
Timing Your Maternity Leave
Teachers often plan their maternity leave strategically to maximise their pay. The earliest you can start maternity leave is 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth. Many teachers choose to work as close to their due date as possible to preserve more paid leave for after the birth. If your due date falls during the summer holidays, you can delay the start of your maternity leave until after the holiday period, effectively gaining several weeks of full pay from the school holidays before your maternity pay begins.
Summer Due Dates
Notification Requirements
You must notify your employer of your pregnancy and intended maternity leave start date by the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth (roughly the 25th week of pregnancy). Your employer must then confirm your maternity leave dates and pay entitlement in writing within 28 days. You can change your start date by giving at least 28 days' notice.
Returning to Work
You have the right to return to your original job if you take 26 weeks or less of maternity leave (ordinary maternity leave). If you take more than 26 weeks (additional maternity leave), you have the right to return to the same job, or if that is not reasonably practicable, a suitable alternative role on the same terms and conditions. You must give at least 8 weeks' notice if you wish to return earlier than the full 52 weeks.
For a personalised calculation of your maternity pay, use our maternity pay calculator. You can also check how your reduced income during maternity leave affects your overall finances with our take-home pay calculator.