England Teachers' Maternity Pay Will Go Up From 2027-28 Academic Year to Keep Experienced Staff

More than 9,000 women teachers in their 30s left schools in England in one year. New plans to raise maternity pay from 2027-28 aim to stop this. This is a big step to keep good teachers.
By Newsroom | Education, Teacher Pay, England |

Rising Concerns Over Teacher Retention Drive Policy Changes

A growing number of teachers, particularly women in their thirties, are leaving the profession in England. This trend has led to a notable decrease in the number of experienced educators. Schools and educational bodies are now focusing on improving maternity benefits, including pay and flexible working options, as a key strategy to retain these vital staff members. The proposed changes to maternity pay are set to begin in the 2027-28 academic year, signaling a move by the government to address a critical issue impacting the education sector.

Background of Teacher Maternity Support

  • Maternity leave for teachers in England currently follows statutory guidelines, offering 52 weeks of leave. This is divided into 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave.

  • Employers are required to confirm return dates within 28 days of notification of pregnancy.

  • Teachers are generally entitled to return to the same job after Ordinary Maternity Leave, with terms and conditions remaining unchanged during pregnancy and leave without agreement.

  • Concerns have been raised by groups like the National Education Union (NEU) about inconsistent employer practices.

  • Some employers are accused of forcing earlier leave, miscalculating pay, and pressuring early returns.

  • Others fail to accommodate returning mothers or properly manage "keeping in touch" days.

  • The current standard maternity pay for teachers is reported to lag behind that offered by many other professions. This disparity is seen as a significant factor in teachers leaving.

Drivers for Change

  • Teacher Exodus: Over 9,000 women in their thirties reportedly left state education in England in a single year, highlighting a "catastrophic loss" of experienced staff.

  • Workload and Guilt: Excessive workloads and feelings of guilt about balancing childcare responsibilities with teaching duties are cited as reasons why women find motherhood incompatible with the profession.

  • Retention Strategy: Schools are actively enhancing maternity pay and introducing flexible working to stem this outflow, particularly among women in their 30s.

  • Government Focus: The Department for Education's remit letter to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) for 2026 and 2027 explicitly requests recommendations on pay and conditions for the 2027-28 academic year, which includes maternity pay considerations. This indicates a governmental awareness and directive towards addressing the issue.

Proposed Changes and Timeline

  • The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) has received its remit letter from the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to provide recommendations for teachers' pay and conditions for both 2026-27 and 2027-28.

  • The increase in maternity pay is slated to take effect from the 2027-28 academic year.

  • While specific details of the pay rise are not yet public, the announcement from the Financial Times confirms the timing of its implementation.

Educational Bodies and Unions' Positions

  • National Education Union (NEU): Advocates for valuing women on maternity leave, ensuring correct pay, and facilitating support for return to work. They aim for all institutions to have robust systems that respect and inform staff taking maternity leave.

  • TES Magazine: Publishes guides to help teachers understand their entitlements, including statutory maternity pay (SMP) and occupational maternity pay (OMP).

  • NASUWT: Provides information on statutory maternity leave entitlements and employer obligations regarding confirmation of return dates and terms of employment.

  • Edexec and Dazzling Dawn: Report on how UK schools are actively boosting maternity pay and offering flexible work to retain female teachers, viewing these as crucial steps to combat staff shortages. Some institutions are also introducing provisions like uncapped paid leave for miscarriages.

Broader Context and Future Outlook

  • The move to improve maternity pay is part of a larger effort to make teaching a more attractive and expert profession, as stated by education sector representatives.

  • While the government focuses on recruitment, the crumbling base of experienced staff due to retention issues is a significant concern.

  • The enhanced maternity pay aims to support women, particularly those in their 30s, who are crucial for maintaining the profession's experienced workforce. The decision to focus on retention through better maternity benefits acknowledges the substantial impact of these policies on the teaching profession's stability and expertise.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will teachers' maternity pay go up in England?
The pay for teachers on maternity leave in England will increase starting from the 2027-28 academic year. This change is part of new plans to help keep more experienced teachers in schools. The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) is looking at the details now.
Q: Why is England raising teachers' maternity pay from 2027-28?
England is raising maternity pay because many experienced women teachers, especially those in their 30s, are leaving the job. Over 9,000 women in this age group left in one year. The government hopes better pay will encourage them to stay and keep valuable staff in schools.
Q: Which teachers will get more maternity pay in England from 2027-28?
All teachers in England who are eligible for maternity leave will benefit from the new pay increase. The main goal is to support women in their 30s who are often leaving the profession. This policy aims to keep experienced female educators in schools.
Q: What is the current maternity leave for teachers in England before the 2027-28 changes?
Before the 2027-28 changes, teachers in England get 52 weeks of maternity leave. This includes 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave. Employers must confirm return dates within 28 days and teachers usually return to the same job.
Q: How does new maternity pay for teachers help schools in England?
The new maternity pay helps schools by keeping experienced teachers in their jobs. When fewer teachers leave, schools have more skilled staff. This means better teaching for students and less need to find and train new teachers, making schools stronger.