My wife and I have dedicated ourselves to the field of education, amassing over two decades of service within various secondary schools across England. In March of this year my wife was offered a position at a new school, set to commence from September 2023. This appointment was further complemented by the news of her pregnancy in May, prompting us to do some financial planning, as many expectant first-time parents do.

Naturally, among the many aspects we examined, maternity pay emerged as a focal point. However, our research uncovered an unsettling reality. Despite her dedicated service, my wife finds herself excluded from both Statutory Maternity Pay and Shared Parental Leave entitlements. As many schools require teachers to give at least one full term’s notice, teachers in these schools are required to find new employment by the start of April, despite not commencing this employment until the following September. This advanced notification system inadvertently creates an unforeseen gap, despite continuous employment in education. Like my wife, many female educators will accept positions at a new school months before falling pregnant and this well-intentioned decision is then met with the harsh reality of ineligibility for Statutory Maternity Pay or Shared Parental Leave. In our case, this predicament translates into significant financial concerns, a paradoxical outcome despite our sincere efforts to navigate within the established framework. Furthermore, the weight of this financial burden is likely to lead my wife to start work at the earliest opportunity, leading to our newborn being enrolled in nursery care sooner than we would consider ideal.

Unfortunately, the situation we find ourselves in is far from unique. Countless educators throughout the United Kingdom share this situation with us, grappling with these unyielding circumstances that cast a shadow over their commitment to both their profession and their families. The time has come for a shift, a change that addresses the disheartening disconnect between the dedication exhibited by teachers and the systemic shortcomings that impede their rightful access to essential benefits.

The current state of affairs not only hinders individual aspirations but also weakens the educational landscape as a whole. A call for change resonates not only on behalf of educators facing these hardships today, but also for the future of the educational sector.

Please sign this petition to advocate for fairer qualification criteria for teachers' Statutory Maternity Pay and Shared Parental Leave.