Question about maternity leave (teacher)

Loveactually

Hi all

I am looking for some advice about maternity leave specially from teachers as it deals with summer leaves.

I am expecting my first baby on 14 December 2014 and I am planning to start my maternity leave on 01 December 2014. Our leave runs sept - sept and hence won't accrue many days by December to take my holiday allotment before starting the maternity leave.

So I am planning to take maternity leave for 30 weeks so that I am back to work on 01 July and as summer vacation begins from 09 July I can book my summer holidays and get full pay for summer holidays.

Morally it may not right but money is tight and I have to do this, but just wondering will it be actually allowed legally. Can I just end my maternity leave just before summer vacation?

millysg1

I have quite a few teacher friends and they have ALL done something similar to this, going back to work for a couple weeks before beginning of summer holidays, so they get their full pay. It is very common and don't think you should worry about it personally.

jackieblack

We've had two teachers who were on maternity leave last academic year, one returned for the last week of the summer term, the other returned on the last day of term.

Loveactually

Thanks for the quick replies. So it's more common than I thought.

I was thinking I am the only one doing this:)

Madmel

Definitely, as you then get paid for the summer holidays. One of my colleagues had a baby last October and returned for the final 3 days of the summer term

Whilst people on here are helpful, you may find specific advice on the TES community forums - there is a pregnancy one which is quite active. HTH

Buzzybee90

Life's good for you, eh.

tia86

I will be doing something very similar, also finishing on 1st Dec (think I was told it has to be a Sunday, so for me 30th Nov) and then I want to go back last week in June for start of new timetable (though we don't finish until 20th July). According to the business manager this is what most people do!

Spendless

I'm not a teacher, but I noticed more than one of my kids teachers doing this, just going back for few weeks in July after being on maternity from the previous autumn term.

suejb2

My niece is a secondary school teacher and is due back from Mat leave this September (baby born September 2013) .Like her first leave she did 2 days before they finished for Summer.

browneyedbazzi

Every teacher I know does this - most go back just for the week before summer holidays start.

monty-doggy

Being a teacher is a tough job so take advantage of one of the perks and ignore anyone who says otherwise enjoy your time off!