Teachers' Union Demands 26-Week Maternity Pay to Halt Staff Exodus
The NASUWT teachers' union has labeled the current state of maternity support for educators a 'national scandal,' citing it as a key reason many are leaving the profession. General Secretary Matt Wrack is urging the government to extend fully paid maternity leave to 26 weeks and enhance paternity pay to stem the exodus of women in their 30s from classrooms.
Government Plans Fall Short, Union Says
Recent government proposals in the schools white paper aim to double teachers' entitlement to full maternity pay from four weeks to eight, starting in the 2027-28 academic year. The Department for Education has promoted this as the first improvement in national maternity pay for teachers in over 25 years. However, Wrack argues this is insufficient, noting that many public and private sector workers already receive far more generous benefits.
For instance, female firefighters in the West Midlands are entitled to 52 weeks of leave on full pay. Wrack, a former firefighter and Fire Brigades Union leader, emphasized this disparity in his first address at the NASUWT annual conference in Birmingham. He stated that without urgent improvements to maternity, paternity, and flexible working entitlements, government efforts to retain teachers will be undermined.
Survey Reveals Harsh Realities for Teacher Parents
An NASUWT poll of 2,000 UK teachers revealed alarming statistics:
- 95% found it difficult to balance their job with parenting responsibilities.
- 70% had seriously considered resigning due to the impact on their children.
- 77% of those who took maternity, paternity, or adoption leave in the past five years wanted more time off but were financially constrained.
The survey also uncovered failures in school management support, with reports of denied requests for antenatal appointments and inadequate accommodations for pregnant teachers. One teacher described being forced to vomit in a bucket in a classroom cupboard due to severe morning sickness, while another was made to feel guilty for taking time off for minor surgery during pregnancy.
Union Campaigns for Change and Threatens Action
The NASUWT has passed a motion allowing a ballot for national strike action if the government fails to meet demands for greater education investment, including funding for special educational needs and above-inflation pay increases. While any industrial action remains distant, Wrack warned of the 'deeply human cost' of government cuts.
Women in their 30s represent the largest group leaving teaching, highlighting the critical need for better family support. The union will now campaign for negotiations across the UK to implement the 26-week maternity pay measure and improve overall working rights for teachers.
In response, the DfE pointed to one of the lowest teacher leaving rates since 2010 and progress in recruiting over 2,300 more secondary and special schoolteachers this year. However, the NASUWT insists that doubling 'not much' still leaves educators with inadequate support compared to other sectors.
