Teacher maternity pay calculator

Most schoolteachers in England and Wales are covered by the Burgundy Book national agreement: 4 weeks full pay, 2 weeks at 90%, 12 weeks half pay plus SMP, then SMP alone to week 39. Enter your salary to see the schedule — and the half-pay element you'd repay if you didn't return for 13 weeks.

Points teachers actually get caught by

• The 13-week return condition counts school holidays and can be part-time — but resign during leave and the 12 weeks of half pay (occupational element only) is repayable. Some LAs waive it; ask before deciding.
• Academies aren't automatically covered. Most inherited or adopted Burgundy Book terms, but check your contract — an academy can have its own (better or worse) scheme.
• Timing around holidays matters: maternity leave can't start during a school holiday period you're already being paid for; starting leave just after a paid holiday block preserves value.
• Under a year's service? You drop to plain SMP (26 weeks' service by the qualifying week) or Maternity Allowance — toggle the service question above to compare.