Efforts to retain teachers in the profession will be undermined unless rapid improvements are made to maternity, paternity and flexible working entitlements, NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is warning.
New NASUWT survey data shows that 95% of teachers find it difficult to balance their work responsibilities with being a parent and that 70% of teachers have seriously considered leaving the teaching profession because of the impact of their work commitments on their children.
In his address to the Union’s Annual Conference in Birmingham today, NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack will call for national negotiations to deliver an immediate 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave as a step towards the required rapid improvements in maternity, paternity and flexible working rights for teachers.
While the Schools White Paper set out a pledge to double full maternity pay for teachers and school leaders from four to eight weeks, starting in the 2027-28 academic year, with further 50% pay for 10 weeks, public and private sector employers commonly offer up to 26 weeks full pay.
The survey shows over three-quarters (77%) of respondents who had taken maternity/paternity or adoption leave in the previous five years while working as a teacher or school leader would have liked to have taken more time off with their new children, but that financial reasons prevented most from doing so, with 85% citing this as the main reason for returning to work earlier than they wanted.
Despite the introduction of changes to legislation in 2024 designed to further embed flexible working in the workplace, disappointingly it remains the case that nearly half (49%) have asked their employer for flexible working due to their parental responsibilities, but over a quarter (26%) had their last request rejected.
Even for those who had their flexible working request accepted, two-thirds (66%) think it has had a detrimental impact on their career.
High levels of workload also continue to affect teachers’ ability to be fully present for their children, with 86% saying they feel they regularly miss out on important times with their children due to their work responsibilities.
82% also say their jobs have prevented them from looking after their children when they are ill.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
“The pitiful levels of maternity pay, parental leave and flexible working opportunities within teaching are a national scandal. The shocking levels of provision are having a real and detrimental impact on the profession. Other public and private sector employers commonly offer far better provision.
“Figures show that women in their thirties are the biggest single group leaving teaching and much of that is highly likely to be driven by the failure to make the job more family friendly. This shocking situation has been ignored for years.
“The rigidity of working structures in many schools, coupled with uncompetitive parental rights and high levels of workload are driving out talented teachers from the profession.
“While the Government’s Schools White Paper set out plans for a small increase in maternity pay, this does not go anywhere near far enough to tackle the scale of the problem.
“Current provisions are leaving teachers to feel they are neither a good enough parent nor a good enough teacher.
“The commitment of teachers has been exploited for far too long. They are dedicated to the children and young people they teach, but should not be expected to sacrifice their own family lives.”
