I was going for half-pay too so that I would double my length of paid maternity leave. Then
I found out how complicated it was if I needed to go back to work early and was still on paid leave (everyone tells me to never turn down a child care place even it's it a bit earlier than you wanted - I'm on a year waiting list for my work-places childcare centre).

I hope you get your half-pay as that is really what you want - but what I decided to do because it wouldn't work out for me - is to take my full pay but set up a direct debit out of my bank account into a separate mat leave savings account. As soon as I go on paid leave the DD kicks in, so although I'm on full pay for 18 weeks - I only pay myself half-pay from Aug - Dec. Then in January when my unpaid leave period kicks in (18 weeks) I will set up a new direct debit from the mat leave account and continue to pay myself half-pay. This way I can keep within my desired half-pay budget but still receive a "salary" to avoid spending it all on baby things in the first 18 weeks. ;-)

You shouldn't have to do this as you should be able to get the half-pay leave that is offered - but I just thought I'd mention this for anyone in the same position.