Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator

Table of contents

• What is the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator?
• How is Teacher Maternity Pay calculated (Burgundy Book)?
• Example Teacher Maternity Pay Calculation
• The Four Phases: From Full Pay to Statutory Rate
• Eligibility Rules: Continuous Local Authority service
• The “Return to Work” Requirement: Avoiding the clawback
• Burgundy Book vs. Standard Statutory Maternity Pay
• How to use the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Sources

Use this Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator to discover the exact breakdown of your occupational maternity benefits under the Burgundy Book agreement. The tool uses the latest 2026 statutory rates and teacher-specific contract rules, allowing you to input your salary annually, monthly, or weekly. It helps you understand how the transition from full pay to half-pay plus SMP affects your household income so you can plan your leave and return to the classroom with financial clarity.

What is the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator?

The Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator is a specialised financial tool designed for teachers in England and Wales whose contracts are governed by the “Burgundy Book” (the Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales). While many UK workers only receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), teachers often benefit from one of the most structured “Occupational Maternity Pay” (OMP) schemes.

In the 2026/27 tax year, with the statutory rate increased to £194.32, the interaction between your teaching salary and government top-ups has unique nuances, particularly during the half-pay phase. This tool automates the math for you, handling the transition from full pay to 90% pay, then to half-pay plus SMP, and finally to SMP only. It is an essential resource for educators planning their leave and return to work.

How is Teacher Maternity Pay calculated (Burgundy Book)?

Teacher maternity pay is paid for a total of 39 weeks. It is based on your “Average Weekly Earnings” (AWE) during the eight-week period ending at your “qualifying week” (the 15th week before your due date). For teachers, this includes your base salary plus any Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments or Special Educational Needs (SEN) allowances.

To calculate your total teacher maternity entitlement (T) over the 39-week period, the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator applies the following logic:

T = (4 wks @ Full Pay) + (2 wks @ 90% Pay) + (12 wks @ 50% Pay + £194.32*) + (21 wks @ £194.32)

*Note: During the half-pay phase, the combined total of half-pay and SMP cannot exceed your original full-pay amount.

Example Teacher Maternity Pay Calculation

To understand how the Burgundy Book protects a teacher’s income using an annual salary input, consider this scenario.

Example: Emma is a teacher with a gross annual salary of £38,000 and over one year of continuous Local Authority service.

• Average Weekly Earnings: £730.77 (£38,000 ÷ 52 weeks).
• Weeks 1-4: Emma receives full pay of £730.77 per week.
• Weeks 5-6: Emma receives 90% pay, which is £657.69 per week.
• Weeks 7-18: Emma receives half pay (£365.39) + SMP (£194.32) = £559.71 per week.
• Weeks 19-39: Emma receives SMP only at £194.32 per week.

Total estimated pay: £15,317.84 over 39 weeks. This highlights the significant advantage of the teacher-specific scheme over the standard UK statutory minimum.

The Four Phases: From Full Pay to Statutory Rate

The Burgundy Book scheme is unique because it splits the first six weeks into two distinct levels of support:

• Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): You receive Full Pay. This is your average weekly earnings before any deductions.
• Phase 2 (Weeks 5-6): You receive 90% of your earnings. This aligns with the standard UK SMP Phase 1 but only lasts for two weeks in this specific sequence.
• Phase 3 (Weeks 7-18): You receive Half Pay plus Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). In 2026, the SMP portion is £194.32. If half-pay + £194.32 is more than your full pay, it is capped at the full-pay rate.
• Phase 4 (Weeks 19-39): You receive SMP Only (£194.32 per week, or 90% of your earnings if that is lower).

Eligibility Rules: Continuous Local Authority service

To qualify for the enhanced Burgundy Book pay shown in our Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator, you must meet the following criteria by the 11th week before your expected week of childbirth:

1. The 1-Year Rule: You must have at least one year of continuous service with one or more Local Authorities (LAs). This service can be across different schools, as long as the LAs are part of the “Modification Order” for continuity of employment.
2. Standard SMP Rules: To receive the SMP portion, you must also have been with your current employer for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week and earn above the Lower Earnings Limit (£129 in 2026).

The “Return to Work” Requirement: Avoiding the clawback

To keep the occupational portion of your pay (the “Full Pay” and “Half Pay” elements), you must agree to return to your teaching post for at least 13 weeks (including school holidays) after your leave ends. If you decide not to return, or if you return and then leave within the 13-week period, your employer has the legal right to “claw back” the occupational pay. You are always entitled to keep the Statutory (SMP) portion. National education unions like the NEU often advise members to keep this commitment in mind when planning their career moves (NEU).

Burgundy Book vs. Standard Statutory Maternity Pay

If you do not meet the one-year service requirement, the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator will automatically revert to the standard UK Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) logic. Under these terms, you receive 90% of your pay for 6 weeks, followed by 33 weeks at the statutory rate (£194.32 in 2026). The Burgundy Book scheme is significantly more generous, often providing several extra weeks’ worth of full salary value over the course of the 39 weeks.

How to use the Teacher Maternity Pay Calculator

1. Select salary basis: Choose Annually, Monthly, or Weekly based on your teaching contract.
2. Gross Salary: Enter your total gross pay. Ensure you include TLRs or SEN allowances as these are pensionable and count towards your average weekly earnings.
3. Service Check: Tick the box if you have at least one year of continuous Local Authority service to see the enhanced Burgundy Book breakdown.
4. Review Results: The tool will show your estimated pay for each of the four phases and the total potential support across the 39 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I work in an Academy?
Most Academies still follow Burgundy Book rules, but some have their own local maternity policies. If your contract explicitly references the Burgundy Book, this calculator is accurate for you.

Do school holidays affect my maternity pay?
No. Your maternity pay is calculated based on your average weekly earnings and is paid regardless of whether it is term time or a holiday. You also have a separate legal right to accrue holiday pay while on leave.

What happens to my Teachers’ Pension?
You continue to build up pensionable service while you are receiving maternity pay. Your contributions are deducted from the actual maternity pay you receive, but the service is credited at your full rate (Teachers’ Pensions).

Can I use KIT (Keeping in Touch) days?
Yes. You can work for up to 10 KIT days during your leave. These are often used by teachers for INSET days or parent-teacher evenings, paid at your normal daily rate.

What if I return part-time?
Returning part-time for at least 13 weeks satisfies the Burgundy Book “Return to Work” clause. The 13 weeks are calculated as a period of time, not based on the total number of hours worked.

Sources

• NEU – Maternity Leave and Pay Guide
• NASUWT – Teacher Maternity Pay Regulations
• Teachers’ Pensions – Family Leave and Pension Rights

This calculator provides estimates based on publicly available UK government and Burgundy Book guidance. Results should be used for informational purposes only.