Can a teacher start maternity leave during the holidays?

[Onlyconnect]

Just that really. My baby is due on 15th August and I can't find a clear answer in the union documents as to whether I can start maternity leave on 7th August. The person responsible for this at my school says she "doesn't think so."

Yes

You can start maternity leave whenever you like, as long as you give the correct notice and it's before your baby is born. Exception being if you give birth before your planned date in which case it starts immediately.

Yes. And if I was you I would start maternity leave on the 15th August.

Why would you start it a week before your EDD if you'll be on holiday anyway? Start it the last day possible ie EDD, if your lo arrives early then that will be the day that your maternity leave will have to start.

Yes, start it 15th August. If baby comes sooner, you haven't lost anything by doing that.

Thank you. I don't know why but I had it in my haed that you had to start it a week before the due date at the latest.
Thanks for all the quick responses.

And you can, of course, return to work on the first day of the school hols if you decide to take a full year or thereabouts.