Moving to a different school at the end of maternity leave?

[TipTop333]

I'm pregnant with my second and not massively happy at my current school. For many reasons, I intend to return back to work after my mat leave.

However, does anyone know if I can move schools at the end of my maternity leave without it affecting my maternity pay? Would it have to be a school within the same LA? What about an academy?

Also, I've heard rumours but not read it officially that you can opt for a 'basic' rather than the enhanced maternity package and if you return to work you get the money you missed out on in one lump sum. Is that actually a thing?

My hr told me that as long as it is state and not an academy then this counts as continuous service and you don't pay anything back. Doesn't matter if you move counties.

If it's an academy then you need to return for 13 weeks including holidays.

Iffy you're moving local authority to local authority you get continuous service.

If either school isn't then the likelihood is they'd won't count continuous service (but I've known it happem).

You'll need to work 13 weeks

My school will be LA when I leave but academy when I return. I reckon I'd be hard pushed to find a job academy anyway these days.

Just going to go and rant in a corner to myself about academisation.

I had to repay my enhanced mat pay when I moved from an LA school to an academy. I would have retained it only if I had stayed within the same LA.

I have heard of some schools where you can opt to receive the basic mat pay during mat leave and then the enhanced as a lump sum 13 weeks after your return but I don't think this is widespread.

When is baby due? If you could return at May half term then you can resign on 31 August.

Not until December unfortunately so May would be too early.

Think I will call the council and discuss it. Thankfully I work for quite a large council so there may be options.

I moved LA as we moved house and had to pay mine back.

Not to an academy.

When I was on mat leave, you could only do this if you we're moving to another school within the same local authority (not academy).

I am not sure if I am returning so have opted not to take the half pay, I am just receiving SMP. If I return then I will receive as a lump sum!

If baby is due December you could you back to work for a week in July then have done 7 weeks by Sept. That means only half a term more and you won't have to pay it back.

I know some people who've gone back to work for a token few weeks.