Burgundy Book vs SMP — how teacher maternity pay works
Most guides start with Statutory Maternity Pay, the government minimum. But if your contract is governed by the Burgundy Book — the National Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales — you're entitled to significantly more: the difference can be £8,000–£12,000 over the full 52 weeks, and most teachers don't know the full picture until they're already on leave.
SMP eligibility: 26 weeks of continuous employment with your current employer by the end of the qualifying week (15th week before your due date). Entitles you to SMP for up to 39 weeks — £184.03/week in 2025/26, rising to £194.32 from April 2026.
Burgundy Book eligibility: one year of continuous service as a teacher with one or more local authorities by the 11th week before your due date — this can span different schools and local authorities, not just your current employer. If you pass this test, you receive the full Burgundy Book occupational pay on top of SMP.
Your income across the 52 weeks
For a Burgundy Book-eligible teacher, using an M4 teacher outside London (£39,556 gross) as the example:
| Weeks | Period | Pay rate | Weekly gross (M4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | OML weeks 1–4 | Full contractual pay | ~£761 |
| 5–6 | OML weeks 5–6 | 90% of average weekly earnings | ~£685 |
| 7–18 | OML weeks 7–18 | Half pay + SMP* | ~£574 |
| 19–39 | AML weeks 1–21 | SMP only | £194.32 |
| 40–52 | AML weeks 22–26 | Unpaid | £0 |
*Half pay + SMP is capped at your normal full pay — rarely triggers for classroom teachers, but affects higher earners.
Total gross income across all 52 weeks for this M4 teacher is approximately £17,400 under Burgundy Book, versus roughly £8,300 on SMP only — an enhancement worth around £9,100. Use the calculator above for your own spine point, region and circumstances, including part-time FTE, TLR, and pension during leave.
The qualifying week
Almost every calculation flows from one date: the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. It determines your SMP entitlement, your Burgundy Book entitlement (assessed 4 weeks earlier, at the 11th week), and your average weekly earnings for SMP purposes (90% of AWE in the eight weeks before the qualifying week). Enter your due date in the calculator and it's worked out automatically — you'll need it when you submit your leave notification, at least 15 weeks before your due date.
Which scheme applies to you?
Maintained school teachers are almost always covered by the Burgundy Book. Academy teachers are more varied — many academies (particularly former maintained schools) have adopted matching or enhanced terms, but it's not a legal requirement, so check your contract or ask HR. Independent school teachers are generally entitled to SMP only, unless the school offers enhanced terms at its discretion.
If you're unsure, contact your union rep before starting leave, not after — the difference can be thousands of pounds.
The clawback clause — what happens if you don't return
If you receive the Burgundy Book half-pay (weeks 7–18), you're required to return to work for at least 13 weeks afterwards (school holidays count toward this). If you don't return, or leave again within 13 weeks, your employer can reclaim the occupational half-pay portion — not the SMP, which is non-reclaimable. For an M4 teacher this is roughly £2,700–£3,200. The calculator flags this obligation and shows the amount at risk based on your planned return date.
Keeping in Touch (KIT) days
You can work up to 10 KIT days during your leave — in any combination — without ending your leave or affecting SMP. Paid at your normal daily rate: for an M4 teacher (£39,556 ÷ 195 = ≈£202/day), 10 days add ≈£2,020 gross. KIT days are optional and must be mutually agreed; they don't extend your leave.
Your TPS contributions during leave
Contributions continue throughout paid leave (weeks 1–39), calculated on the actual pay received in each phase — so contributions during SMP-only weeks (19–39) are very small. Once unpaid leave starts (weeks 40–52), contributions stop, but you have up to five years to pay the additional contributions and restore that accrual. Your employer's 28.68% contribution continues throughout paid leave.
Frequently asked questions
How much maternity pay does a teacher get in 2025–26?
Under Burgundy Book: weeks 1–4 full pay, weeks 5–6 at 90% AWE, weeks 7–18 half pay plus SMP (capped at full pay), weeks 19–39 SMP only (£194.32/week from April 2026), weeks 40–52 unpaid. For M3 outside London, total income across 52 weeks is ≈£15,600; for M6, ≈£18,400.
Do I qualify for Burgundy Book maternity pay?
Two tests: SMP requires 26 weeks with your current employer by the qualifying week; Burgundy Book requires one year of service across any local-authority schools by the 11th week before your due date — it doesn't need to be with your current employer.
What is the qualifying week and when is it?
The 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. The calculator derives it automatically from your due date — your school will need it for your leave notification.
I teach in an academy — do I get Burgundy Book pay?
Not automatically. Academies aren't legally required to follow it, though many do. Check your contract or ask HR — the calculator includes an academy-specific option where you enter your school's own full-pay weeks.
What if I don't return to work after maternity leave?
If you received the Burgundy Book half-pay (weeks 7–18) and don't return for at least 13 weeks, your employer can reclaim that occupational portion (not the SMP). The calculator flags the amount at risk based on your planned return date.
What happens to my TLR during maternity leave?
TLR is included during full-pay and 90%-pay weeks (1–6) as part of contractual pay. Its treatment during half-pay weeks (7–18) depends on your school's policy — check your contract. SMP-only weeks pay the flat rate regardless of TLR.
Can I take KIT days during unpaid leave?
Yes — KIT days can be taken at any point, including the unpaid weeks 40–52, and are paid at your normal daily rate without affecting your leave or SMP.
Does returning part-time affect my maternity pay next time?
Yes — a future maternity leave is calculated on your actual part-time salary at the time, not your previous full-time earnings. Use our part-time calculator alongside this one to model the full before-and-after picture.