He is a member of The Maternity Teacher/Paternity Teacher Project, It only takes a moment and you'll get access to more news, plus courses, jobs and teaching resources tailored to you, A one-stop shop for teachers who want to know what impact the ongoing pandemic will have on their working lives, The Tes news team on a 'chaotic' end of term, and a look back at an extraordinary year, WATCH: With carol concerts and fairs cancelled, schools proved the Christmas show could go on, Here's everything we know to date about the DfE's last-minute plan for mass Covid testing in schools after Christmas, Concerns raised over government 'spin' on advice around teacher safety, while impact on supply teachers is highlighted, Most schools won't be able to roll out 'inoperable' testing plan and should not be forced to engage, say unions, Colleges across the UK have collected more than 19,000 food items to support vulnerable people in their communities, One by one, the bubbles burst and the school emptied – and assistant head Curtis White is worried the same will happen next year, With last-minute plans for a staggered term start and mass testing, the government has gone too far, says Geoff Barton, As conservation becomes an increasing concern for young people, technology is enabling new, exciting ways of engaging. So, I curtailed my maternity leave two weeks after my daughter was born, but didn’t begin my SPL until 1September. How and When can this Leave be Taken . Working parents must take Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) between the baby's birth and first birthday (or within one year of adoption). If you or your partner are expecting a baby (or having a child placed with you for adoption), you might be able to turn the maternity (or adoption) leave and pay into shared parental leave … Both attitudes are wrong and I was lucky to have the opportunity to share this very important time with our daughter – it would be good if more fathers could. Conditions. I know after … My name is Kinza, I’m a Maths Teacher – currently working as Director of Maths at a school in Gloucestershire. Many other state-sector professions also receive much longer periods at full pay, including nurses and police officers. 2. Teachers who resign and do not, therefore, return at the end of their maternity leave period may, in some cases, be entitled to additional payment in lieu of their accrued annual leave entitlement. The following websites may also be useful: Gov.uk: shared parental leave and payShared parental leave: campaign.govMaternity Action: shared parental leave and pay, Kinza Barrett is director of maths at Holmleigh Park High School in Gloucester, It only takes a moment and you'll get access to more news, plus courses, jobs and teaching resources tailored to you, A one-stop shop for teachers who want to know what impact the ongoing pandemic will have on their working lives, The Tes news team on a 'chaotic' end of term, and a look back at an extraordinary year, WATCH: With carol concerts and fairs cancelled, schools proved the Christmas show could go on, Here's everything we know to date about the DfE's last-minute plan for mass Covid testing in schools after Christmas, Concerns raised over government 'spin' on advice around teacher safety, while impact on supply teachers is highlighted, Most schools won't be able to roll out 'inoperable' testing plan and should not be forced to engage, say unions, Colleges across the UK have collected more than 19,000 food items to support vulnerable people in their communities, One by one, the bubbles burst and the school emptied – and assistant head Curtis White is worried the same will happen next year, With last-minute plans for a staggered term start and mass testing, the government has gone too far, says Geoff Barton, As conservation becomes an increasing concern for young people, technology is enabling new, exciting ways of engaging. The law may have changed but, in some places, attitudes have not. Your policy will determine whether you can take it in one chunk or spread it across the year – make it work for the school and for you. Eligible employees having a baby can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. How to Apply 4. Shared parental leave and pay allow a mother to take some of her maternity leave and pay and turn it into shared parental leave and pay. This means that Statutory Shared Parental … An application for SPL in up to three blocks, if applied for on three separate forms, cannot legally be refused if both parents are eligible. 8. 3. Shared parental leave I had heard about shared parental leave (SPL), but only in a vague “something Clegg did in the coalition” way. Shared Parental Leave in Touch (SPLIT) Days . My school had a simple policy that was easy to follow and my HR representative took me through every stage. How teachers can plan shared parental leave, Podcast: Staggered starts and mass testing next term, Five ways schools marked a Covid-safe Christmas in 2020, Mass Covid test plans for schools: what we know so far, Teachers' Covid fears mount as schools remain open, Schools backed to refuse 'inoperable' mass testing plan, FE Festive Food Bank: Santa wraps up the campaign, 'We're in a ghost school with empty classrooms', Why it's time for teachers to start saying 'no', How tech can bring real-world conservation to schools, Exclusive: DfE considering delay to start of next term. It’s complex but, to simplify attitudes, a father taking SPL is thought to be “playing” at parenting and a mother returning to work so soon is considered heartless and cold. 2. All eligible employees have a statutory right to take shared parental leave. They should be supportive but will appreciate notice in advance. This shared parental leave and pay can be taken in lumps by either … The term "parental leave" may include maternity, paternity, and adoption leave; or may be used distinctively from "maternity leave" and "paternity leave" to describe separate family leave available to either parent to care for small children. Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay and choose to take the leave and pay in a more flexible way (each parent can take up to 3 blocks of leave… In the case of teachers … Don’t feel guilty about taking leave in a way that means you get paid for school holidays. Eligible parents who are sharing responsibility for a child can get SPL in the first year after: the birth of their child; adopting a child; getting a parental order if they had the child through surrogacy; How much Shared Parental Leave … Shared Parental Leave (SPL) In force from 5 April 2015 Applies where the expected week of childbirth is on or after this date. A message for all those teacher-bashers out there. Tes Global Ltd is Since taking SPL myself, I have become a big advocate for it, setting up. In all other professions, women on maternity leave accrue holiday at full pay, which they can add on to the end of their maternity leave. DH (dear husband) has pretty much decided that I should 'go back' to work (as a teacher) in August so we could have a month off together with him on parental leave and me on summer hols. Maternity leave. The only downside of the decision was the surprisingly antiquated reactions from other parents and bystanders. Yes, shared parental leave is pensionable if you are being paid at least half pay or statutory parental pay. The NASUWT is … Shared parental leave: a guide for teachers, So, I curtailed my maternity leave two weeks after my daughter was born, but didn’t begin my SPL until 1. 4. Kinza Barrett explains how to make the most of it. We decided that I would take leave from three days before the due date – which was fortunately in July, just days before the end of the school year. My wife was self-employed. The questions featured here were raised by the audience in Personnel Today’s first shared parental leave webinar this summer.. A second webinar on the topic, which includes a section on discontinuous shared parental leave… Shared parental leave webinars. 5. And after some digging, I came across the solution: shared parental leave. My wife took a few weeks off, but I took the full nine months of statutory leave, plus a couple of months unpaid, so I could take a whole school year in total. 1. In total, I received seven extra weeks' full pay because of this arrangement. However, when I looked into the details of maternity leave and pay, I realised that the precious six weeks of full pay at the beginning of my maternity leave would be taken up by the summer holidays – pay that I had already earned by working the entire academic year. Resources are signposted to employees at every stage of the parenting journey from thinking about parenthood, through to parental leave and return to work. What are the 5 best Christmas gifts to get a teacher? Maternity, Partner, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave Page 4 of 15 Confirming Your Maternity Leave Dates 5.10 When you find out when your EWC is, you should let your manager know. Annual Leave 3. Shared Parental Leave and Pay helps eligible parents to combine work with family life. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'. In all other professions, women on maternity leave … Most secondary year groups to start next term online, Use judgement this Christmas – unless you're a teacher, DfE risks a long, dark legacy by threatening schools, Making schools into 'field hospitals' may be 'too much', Postnatal depression: parents need better support in schools, How Meghan Markle can inspire teacher-parents-to-be. It’s worth noting that you cannot be asked to come in and actually work during the holidays unless all other staff at your level are also asked or it would be seen as discrimination. My school was incredibly supportive. But as I’m a fully fledged “trailer” (the term used for teachers who earn … 9. Shared parental leave in touch days During your shared parental leave, each parent is able to work up to 20 days. Some examples of Shared Parental Leave 1) Both parents entitled Nabeela and Jonathan are both teachers who have worked for their employers for over six years. Its purpose is to give parents more flexibility in considering how to best care for and bond with their child. Intention to take shared parental leave Although not obligated to do so, it is also strongly recommended that employees intending to take shared parental leave … I had heard about shared parental leave (SPL), but only in a vague “something Clegg did in the coalition” way. Square (b) An employee receiving industrial insurance wage replacement benefits may not receive greater than twenty-five percent of his or her base salary from the receipt of shared leave … What are the 5 best Christmas gifts to get a teacher? I took a second block to cover the first half of the spring term and then my husband took three months' leave, using a KIT day to work one day a week still. Shared parental leave enables eligible parents to choose how to share the care of their child during the first year of birth or adoption. You should also discuss your plans for maternity leave … Under the Legitimacy Act 1967 a child born of a void marriage is regarded as legitimate if at the time of conception or subsequent “marriage” e… These are called shared parental leave in touch days. It is also a time when information and support is needed and questions may arise. Introduction . I took a second block to cover the first half of the spring term and then my husband took three months' leave, using a KIT day to work one day a week still. Sam Draper has been head of English in three inner-city London schools and has been teaching for 15 years. Rights during Shared Parental Leave Eligibility . Plan in advance and get your paperwork into HR as soon as possible. Scope . It brings the additional perk of each parent being able to take their leave in three separate blocks, if that is what they want to do, and also gives each parent 20 keeping-in-touch (KIT) days, as opposed to the 10 days that women on maternity leave are entitled to – making it perfect for a phased return to work. What happens if I decide not to return to service after my maternity leave? Many departments have not had experience of SPL, as it is only in its fifth year, and I often speak to women whose HR teams are, wrongly, refusing their applications for SPL. Changing Shared Parental Leave Arrangements . Maternity, Paternity and Shared Parental Leave. Getting shared parental leave and pay. Your pensionable … 5. Currently both parents can take up to 22 weeks parental leave and from 1 September 2020, this will increase to 26 weeks. Eligibility for shared parental leave For employees to be eligible to take shared parental leave… There had to be a way around this, I thought. Maternity Action: shared parental leave and pay, Podcast: Staggered starts and mass testing next term, Five ways schools marked a Covid-safe Christmas in 2020, Mass Covid test plans for schools: what we know so far, Teachers' Covid fears mount as schools remain open, Schools backed to refuse 'inoperable' mass testing plan, FE Festive Food Bank: Santa wraps up the campaign, 'We're in a ghost school with empty classrooms', Why it's time for teachers to start saying 'no', How tech can bring real-world conservation to schools, Exclusive: DfE considering delay to start of next term. Financially, the lack of meaningful maternity leave for self-employed people made taking the option a no-brainer. When I found out I was expecting my first baby on 17 July, I initially thought the timing was perfect. Brace yourself for people being unsure about how to take this challenge to gender stereotypes. Taking shared parental leave can help teachers to maximise their paid time off after having a baby. In some countries and jurisdictions, "family leave… At what age do you hit your peak as a teacher? But as I’m a fully fledged “trailer” (the term used for teachers who earn less than their partners), we decided to explore the option further. In the case of adoption, applies where child is to be placed for adoption on or … I then took a block of SPL from the beginning of the autumn term until the end of that term, again returning to work over Christmas and receiving full pay. The novelty factor created some intrigue but, overall, it was about making it work in professional terms. It also has a page that will help you calculate paternity leave and pay. The key pieces of advice I would give to any teacher going on shared parental leave would be: My website provides extensive guidance specifically for teachers, including case studies and help with filling out forms. Shared Parental Leave Pay (SSPP) (ShPP) 10. Shared Parental Leave (Excluding Teachers) 1. Sam Draper shares his story of sorting shared parental leave. Find government advice on shared parental leave. You can change your plans at any stage. The disadvantages of illegitimacy have been almost entirely eliminated by legislation over the past 25 years or so: even the word “illegitimate” is now frowned upon, and children born outside marriage are described (when such description is necessary) as non-marital or extra-marital children. London WC1R 4HQ. They do not need to work for the same employer and can take … At the time, I was head of English at a fantastic school in East London, working the usual 12-hour days. Even your liberal friends are likely to judge. 6. What this meant was that I technically returned to work for the summer holiday and was paid at full pay, without using up any of my enhanced pay allowance. Parental leave Applies to parents, adopters, partners, including civil partners or those with parental responsibilities Shared parental leave Applies to parents, adopters, partners, including civil partners, or those with main caring responsibilities, where the mother has curtailed (ended) their maternity or adoption leave … The earliest leave … This website and its content is subject to our Terms and These are in … following the birth of the child, which they will lose if shared parental leave is taken first). Most secondary year groups to start next term online, Use judgement this Christmas – unless you're a teacher, DfE risks a long, dark legacy by threatening schools, Making schools into 'field hospitals' may be 'too much', 6 lessons from being a teacher and a mum in lockdown, 'School was my life...and then I had a baby', No sleep and guilt: what fatherhood means for teachers. A guide to Shared Parental Leave - For Teachers. Some schools only offer SPL at statutory rate, in which case you are better not taking SPL until your higher rate of pay is used up (unless, for example, you would be trading your last six weeks of 50 per cent pay plus statutory for six fully paid weeks of summer holiday). And my lower salary, coupled with the memory of colleagues moaning about all their money going on childcare, made the decision for us. I am always happy to help and can be contacted via the website. I read law at UCL as an undergraduate and then completed the bar, before deciding on a career in education … London WC1R 4HQ. ShPP means Shared Parental … You and your partner may be able to get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if you’re having a baby or adopting a child. Pregnancy should be a positive and exciting time. The mother and partner must take any shared parental leave within 52 weeks of birth. Parents. The key pieces of advice I would give to any teacher going on shared parental leave would be: Don’t feel guilty about taking leave in a way that means you get paid for school holidays. September. My statutory pay lasted for longer and the extra money made a significant difference to our household income in what can be quite a difficult time financially. For the purposes of this guidance, the following key terms and definitions apply: SHPL means Shared Parental Leave. What this meant was that I technically returned to work for the summer holiday and was paid at full pay, without using up any of my enhanced pay allowance. Parental leave, or family leave, is an employee benefit available in almost all countries. Plan how you both will return to work, but prepare for different feelings after the little one arrives. I then took a block of SPL from the beginning of the autumn term until the end of that term, again returning to work over Christmas and receiving full pay. Support is also provided to parents of … It meant I could finish the academic year and would be able to spend the final uncomfortable stage of pregnancy winding down after GCSE season. In order for adoptive parents to take shared parental leave in respect of a child they must satisfy the eligibility criteria as detailed in this procedure and be entitled to statutory adoption leave. Male teachers get statutory paternity leave in addition to SPL, so work out when you want to take all your leave. Square Shared parental leave (SPL) was introduced in 2015 to allow both parents to share the 52 weeks of leave available after the birth of a child. At 26 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4HQ school in Gloucestershire as 'Ordinary leave... Taken first ) other state-sector professions also receive much longer periods at full pay because of this arrangement registered at... ) 1 care for and bond with their child during the first 26 weeks as 'Additional maternity '! ) ( ShPP ) 10 Excluding teachers ) 1 my HR representative took me through stage... Your plans for maternity leave for self-employed people made taking the option a no-brainer because of this,. Sam Draper shares his story of sorting shared parental leave in addition to SPL so. Maternity leave ( SSPP ) ( ShPP ) 10 parental leave and pay digging, I thought partner... The last 26 weeks as 'Additional maternity leave … it also has a page that will help calculate. Shpp ) 10 ' maternity leave … shared parental leave teachers also has a page that will help calculate! Leave enables eligible parents to combine shared parental leave teachers with family life to make most. Plan how you both will return to work, but prepare for different feelings after the little arrives! What age do you hit your peak as a teacher English in three inner-city London schools and been... Definitions apply: SHPL means shared parental leave not to return to work, but prepare different! So work out when you want to take all your leave daughter was born but. Attitudes have not and bond with their child during the first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary leave... This website and its content is subject to our terms and Conditions must any... Challenge to gender stereotypes to take SPL in order for you to be able to – they just to... The website 5 best Christmas gifts to get a teacher teaching for 15 years may have but. At the time, I came across the solution: shared parental leave has been head of English three... ( Excluding teachers ) 1 changed but, overall, it was about making it work in professional.! Parents more flexibility in considering how to best care for and bond with their child the little one.... The usual 12-hour days your peak as a teacher parents to combine work family... Statutory paternity leave and pay novelty factor created some intrigue but, overall, it was about making it in... Working the usual 12-hour days changed but, overall, it shared parental leave teachers about making it work professional. First year of birth or adoption parents and bystanders the novelty factor some! My maternity leave simple policy that was easy to follow and my HR representative took me through every stage needs... Some digging, I came across the solution: shared parental leave big advocate for it, setting up Conditions... Schemes e.g I curtailed my maternity leave from other parents and bystanders calculate leave..., including nurses and police officers Christmas gifts to get a teacher must take any shared parental leave inner-city schools! School authority that means you get paid for school holidays or adoption downside of the was... Get your paperwork into HR as soon as possible you read your school ’ s maternity SPL! Should be supportive but will appreciate notice in advance and get your paperwork into HR as soon as possible flexibility... Feel guilty about taking leave in touch days, so work out when you want to take your... Until 1September time, I initially thought the timing was perfect in East London, working the usual 12-hour.... I am always happy to help and can be contacted via the website has been head English... Inner-City London schools and has been teaching for 15 years the first year of or... Came across the solution: shared parental leave is taken first ) expecting my first baby on 17 July I... Needed and questions may arise Draper shares his story of sorting shared parental and! Website and its content is subject to our terms and definitions apply: SHPL means shared parental leave enables parents! And get your paperwork into HR as soon as possible line manager as soon as possible contacted via website. Are called shared parental leave is taken first ) to 52 weeks of birth one.. Office at 26 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4HQ many other state-sector professions also receive longer. Had a simple policy that was easy to follow and my HR representative took me every. Also discuss your plans for maternity leave ' work, but didn ’ t begin SPL... Touch ( SPLIT ) days the only downside of the decision was the surprisingly reactions. A big advocate for shared parental leave teachers, setting up English at a fantastic school Gloucestershire. Have become a big advocate for it, setting up parents more flexibility in considering how to best care and! Teacher – currently working as Director of Maths at a fantastic school Gloucestershire. Because of this arrangement, overall, it was about making it work in professional terms support is needed questions! To best care for and bond with their child policies thoroughly as.... England ( Company No 02017289 ) with its registered office at 26 Red Lion Square London WC1R...., Career Breaks, Unpaid leave, specific to the needs of decision...