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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Maternity contract and pregnant myself- do I claim MA or SMP?

11 replies

Elpheba · 31/01/2018 07:27

Not sure if this is better placed here or in employment but I'll try here first. I'm on a maternity contract in a school and am pregnant with a due date of mid June. I started at the beginning of the academic year, so 1st September. My contract gives me either one or two weeks notice and no fixed end date- the other teacher that I'm covering has said from the beginning that she is planning to come back at summer half term. Which works well for the school and me as I'm planning to stop at the same point when I'll be 37 weeks. Though I suppose if I was permanent I'd call it the Monday after half term so I'd still get half term paid.
Now, do I claim for Maternity Allowance from gov. Or should I be claiming for statuatory maternity pay from the school? There's obviously a hefty difference of 6 weeks at 90% pay but I also don't want to take the mick. And I suppose they may give me notice in the summer term just before my maternity leave were to begin. Just not sure what to do and would welcome any advice. Thanks!

OP posts:
MirandaWest · 31/01/2018 07:29

Were you pregnant when you started the job?

Elpheba · 31/01/2018 07:48

No. LMP was 9th September, started on 1st Sept.

OP posts:
RicStar · 31/01/2018 07:54

Its going to be close op you have to have been employed 26 weeks before the 15th week prior to your due date - so a 41 week period to due date - Sundays come into play -as they count weeks from those- you will have to put it in an eligibility calculator online and see.

Elpheba · 31/01/2018 08:01

Looks like they'll be one day in it! I'll have worked there for 26 weeks on Friday 2nd March, and I'm 25 weeks pregnant on Saturday 3rd March.

OP posts:
Elpheba · 31/01/2018 08:03

Should add- I'm not really worried about the Maternity Allowance bit of being employed for 26 weeks as I was doing supply beforehand and so have been an agency worker for a long time before that. My supply work before this contract qualified me for MA with my previous DC. Just didn't know if I'd qualify for more this time round.

OP posts:
RicStar · 31/01/2018 08:08

Sounds promising op - give in your paperwork to the school if they are not giving you smp they will have to give you the form explaining why but it sounds like you should get the extra.

NameChange30 · 31/01/2018 08:35

You will be entitled to SMP, as your LMP was after you started the job.

If you want confirmation you can put your due date in the calculator on this page:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/parental-rights/maternity-pay-what-youre-entitled-to/

Elpheba · 31/01/2018 09:06

Thanks for the calculator link- it confirms I would be eligible. Do you know if that is still the case if they end my contract before my due date but after the 26th Feb cut off?

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 31/01/2018 09:11

Yes (as in yes I know and yes you’ll still get SMP if they end your contract after 26th Feb)

Elpheba · 31/01/2018 09:55

Great! Thanks so much for your help.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 31/01/2018 09:57

You’re welcome - best of luck with the pregnancy Smile

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