Academy teachers- what maternity package did you get?

[SurfingTheSouthWest]

I can't find any information from my schools policies for love nor money. I am not in a position to ask a colleague for fear of raising eyebrows!
I'm a career changer and have only been teaching for 3 years, though I'm desperate for a family. I started at this academy in September (3 weeks ago!) after working in a LA school.

What packages did you receive please? I'd like to start ttc asap.

Xoxox

At our academy chain, previous LA service is not included.

Less than 26 weeks service (and the end of qualifying week) - 39 weeks SMP, 13 weeks unpaid

Between 26 weeks and 2 years service (at the end of qualifying week) - 6 weeks full pay, 12 week half pay + SMP, 21 weeks SMP, 13 weeks unpaid

1sttimedd thanks. Am I right in saying that 26 weeks + 15 weeks = 41 weeks. Pregnancy is calculated based on 40 weeks, meaning if I conceive on my cycle that starts more than 2 weeks into my employment, I'm covered?
Times like these I wish I were a maths teacher!

Yes, I was led to believe that your qualifying week is the 15th week before your due date, so your 26 weeks service would need to be completed before that date.

I just missed out on a higher maternity pay bracket due to qualifying week - it's a pain!

Thank you hoping to ttc from October half term so that should be enough time for it to be ok. Does the EWC change if you give birth premature?
How annoying. It's a lot of money to miss out on, given that it's a matter of days! Bet the baby is totally worth it now though

For us, the entitlement to pay wouldn't change - so if you were entitled to bracket 2, you'd still get bracket 2, but your maternity pay would kick in the day after you give birth prematurely (regardless of when you intended on starting your mat leave)
She's totally worth it 😍 Best of luck ttc!