Entitlement to accrued annual leave as a teacher

[Mamuga]

I am a teacher and went on leave in mid-May 2022, and I will return this May, after a year of mat leave. I was informed by the HR Director at the time that I would receive a lump sum payment of 5.6 weeks of my salary on my return as my accrued annual leave entitlement. The HR director has since left, and my school has recently updated the policy which changes the terms. Subsequent conversations with the bursar highlight that in fact I shouldn't receive any payment at all for accrued annual leave as he says I have the chance to take school holidays on my return.

It seems that there is generally an entitlement to 28 days accrued annual leave for most professions but I'm confused about the rights for teachers given the way in which our salary works. Doesn't this approach discriminate against teachers given that I worked almost the whole school year, in 2021-22, and missed out on full paid summer holidays (I was only paid 8 weeks full salary on mat leave)?

Could you advise?

[katsue]

I don't think that's a thing in schools although I suppose it's possible that an academy might choose to have a more businesslike model. Have a look at shared parental leave for teachers (Google) as you can 'return' in the holidays. If you've got the commitment to accrued holiday in writing then go to your union!

[Invisimamma]

The new manager is correct, you can't 'buy out' holidays from someone taking maternity, you have to be offered the opportunity to take them.

[bluelid]

I had two maternity leaves whilst teaching and never accrued any annual leave. I don't think teachers get annual leave- instead your contract is just for 195 days a year...

[Briallen]

I don’t think you can accrue holidays. I had to start Mat leave in august as it was my due date and just lost the holidays. You’re best to return the last day of a term to get full pay for the following holiday. Eg return last day of July for full summer hol pay.

[Marchforward]

Is your school following the burgundy book? If yes, they are correct you don’t accrue holidays.