Before you run the SPL Teachers Calculator it can help to gather a few details. Having this information ready makes your results more accurate and gives you a much clearer picture of how your maternity, SPL and holiday pay will fit together. Many teachers tell us that taking five minutes to prepare makes the whole process feel calmer and far more organised.
Here is a simple and supportive preparation guide.
1. Your expected due date
You will need either your official due date or the date you prefer to start maternity leave if you plan to begin earlier. Your due date is shown on your MATB1 form, which your midwife or doctor will give you around 20–24 weeks of pregnancy. If you need more information about your MATB1, you can read the Government guidance here:
Gov.uk Maternity Pay and Leave
2. Your school holiday dates
Holiday dates matter a lot for teachers because school closures count as working periods, even when you are at home. This can affect your maternity start date, your pay and your overall timeline.
You can use:
- Your specific school calendar
- Your local authority term dates
- Estimated dates if your school has not yet released them
If you need a starting point, you can find local authority school holidays here:
Gov.uk School Term and Holiday Dates
3. Your salary and pay cycle
The calculator needs your annual salary so it can correctly estimate your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP) and any holiday-overlap pay.
You will also need to note whether you are paid:
- Monthly (most teachers)
- Weekly
- Or a special pay structure used by some trusts
If you are unsure, check your payslip or ask your payroll team.
4. Your OMP policy
Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP) varies between schools, academies and trusts. Some offer generous enhanced packages, while others follow the minimum standard.
It is helpful to copy the key section of your OMP policy into your notes so you can compare it directly with the calculator’s results.
If you would like general guidance on maternity rights for teachers, your union provides helpful advice:
NEU Maternity Leave & Pay
NASUWT Maternity Rights for Teachers
5. How long you want to be off
Think about the type of maternity or SPL timeline that would work best for you. There is no right or wrong answer. Many teachers like to consider:
- A full year off
- 9 months
- 6 months
- Returning at a specific point in the school year
- Using SPL to stretch time off across multiple terms
The calculator can compare different scenarios so you can see how your options change your pay, holiday alignment and return date.
6. Your partner’s plans
If you plan to use Shared Parental Leave, your partner will also need to organise their leave dates. SPL can be used flexibly, swapped between parents and broken into blocks — which is especially valuable for teachers because of how school holidays work.
The Government provides the official framework for SPL here:
Gov.uk Shared Parental Leave and Pay
Body image idea:
A clean, visual checklist graphic using icons for a due date, calendar, pound sign, policy document and family planning.
Run your plan
Once you have these details ready, the SPL Teachers Calculator will build a personalised timeline that includes:
- Maternity leave dates
- Your OMP pattern
- Your SMP amounts
- SPL blocks
- School holidays
- Any holiday overlap pay
- Your estimated return-to-work date
The result is a clear, accurate plan that shows exactly how your leave fits around the school year and how your pay will look month by month.
