Schools in the UK are making changes to maternity pay and working conditions to keep female teachers in their 30s from leaving the profession. With thousands of women in this age group leaving teaching each year, it has become a pressing issue that needs to be addressed to prevent a teacher shortage.
The Education Alliance academy trust in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire has decided to introduce a new maternity pay package to support their teachers. This includes 18 weeks of full pay and 8 weeks of half pay from day one, along with uncapped paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage. Additionally, the trust approves 98% of requests for flexible working and ensures that everyone can attend their own children’s important events, like sports days and school plays.
Other academy trusts and schools, such as PolyMAT, the Charter Schools Education Trust, and Dixons, have also improved their maternity packages to retain experienced teachers. However, the standard maternity pay for teachers in most schools falls short compared to other industries like the civil service and supermarkets, which offer up to six months of paid leave.
Experts and campaigners emphasize the importance of addressing low maternity pay and retention rates among experienced teachers to ensure a stable education system. Many women in their 30s are leaving teaching due to excessive workload and feeling burnt out, which is impacting their ability to balance work and family life.
Former headteacher Jen Crittenden shared her experience of leaving the profession after struggling to balance work and motherhood, highlighting the broken system that is driving experienced teachers away. It is crucial for the government to focus not only on recruiting new teachers but also on supporting and retaining experienced educators to maintain a stable teaching workforce and improve outcomes for students.
The Department for Education acknowledges the importance of keeping great teachers in classrooms and is committed to working with the education workforce to address these challenges and make teaching an attractive and sustainable profession. By prioritizing the well-being and support of teachers, schools can create a more positive and fulfilling work environment that encourages experienced educators to stay in the profession for the long term.