Mat leave - playing the system?

[TheSleeperandTheSpindle]

I'm a FT teacher who is currently on maternity leave. My leave started in Oct and so I wasn't given a class this year (primary teacher) so my going back to work date doesn't really matter as my cover is employed until the end of the year. I'm also going back part time in Sept thanks to my DH's promotion which is due to start around Aug/Sept time.

I initially thought I'd need to go back around May however I have since applied for tax credits (I didn't know you could get them on mat leave - thanks MN! ) and it turns out we can now afford for me to stay off until my SMP runs out.

My SMP runs out on 10th July. Would it be cheeky to go back full time from this date, work full time for the two weeks left of term and then get full pay over the summer? I could then start my part time contract in September, effectively giving me 11 months off. My MIL and DM will be covering my 3 days from Sept and have both said they are happy to cover the two weeks or so full time so childcare will not be a worry.

Will this be really frowned upon or is it the done thing? When I told my Head I was pregnant she did mention giving the first day of the holidays as my back to work date, if I was taking that long, in order to get paid over the summer but somehow this seems more obvious

Our primary school is struggling to even afford workbooks, glue sticks and paper, and TA hours are being cut back severely next year. LIke most state primary schools in the country...

I can't get on board with ANY member of school staff playing the system like this, tbh.

Er it's not playing the system!
Nhs workers who I know all accrue holiday during their annual leave so then need to use it up after mat leave... many of my friends ended up with 20/25 days to use (from having accrued full time hols) before their return to work.. how is this any different?

It is just the same as accruing holiday, and also means that you will do some work and prep over summer, go in for results days etc. If I was on mat leave I wouldn't do that.

Why should teachers treat themselves less well because the government refuses to properly fund education? We are entitled to arrange our maternity leave as we wish, nothing to do with playing the system. Stop being holier than thou.

It's no different than other workers who accure annual leave throughout their maternity leave.

Why should teachers treat themselves less well because the government refuses to properly fund education? We are entitled to arrange our maternity leave as we wish, nothing to do with playing the system. Stop being holier than thou.

Exactly.

And as I've said before, give birth on day 1 of the summer holiday and maternity starts from there you lose your holiday. Even if you've never had a day off through the year. And the maternity pay drops quickly.

As an aside, my school can't afford pens, but I refuse to buy them. Why give myself a pay cut on top? The government should start funding schools (and police and hospitals) properly.

Have read last page only. If you aren't entitled to full pay over the summer you won't get it, eg if you worked part-time all year and went full time a month before the end of the year, your summer holiday pay would be adjusted accordingly, as after all it's an average of your annual pay.