NEU flags Cardiff Senedd 02/03/23 ©Aled Llywelyn

About us

The National Education Union stands up for the future of education. It brings together the voices of half a million teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK, to form the largest education union in Europe. 

As the largest education union, we have a powerful voice and have been effective in winning improvements to our members’ working conditions and shaping an education system that works for all.

We have a powerful voice and have been effective in winning improvements to our members’ working conditions and shaping an education system that works for all. 

It is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing its members in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. 

The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). It is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties. 

What we do

Represent you in the workplace

One of the main roles of a trade union is collective bargaining. That means the union negotiates with employers on behalf of members on issues like health and safety, pay and working arrangements, and redundancies. To enter into collective bargaining, a union has to be recognised by an employer. The NEU is recognised in most schools and colleges where our members work. If there is an NEU rep in your school, they will be able to represent you if you are facing any form of disciplinary action or if you have a grievance against your employer.

Represent you to Government and policy makers

As the largest education union in the UK, the NEU has a powerful voice when speaking to Government and policy makers. As a member of the NEU, you will have the opportunity to shape education policy and make your voice heard by responding to surveys, attending meetings and conferences, and sharing your views and experiences with the union.

Campaign to shape the future of education

The NEU is proud to be a campaigning union with a clear vision of what our education system should look like. Together, we want to shape the future of education for the benefit of teachers, support staff, and pupils.

As a campaigning union, the NEU works with allies – from parent groups to footballer and food poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford - to articulate our alternative vision and to win on the key issues of workload, funding, child poverty, assessment and pay.

Provide advice and guidance

Whether you need guidance about your employment rights or help with problems such as workload, bullying or accidents at work, NEU members have access to a wealth of expertise. As well as the support of your workplace rep and your branch, you’ll have access to online advice, and the NEU employment Advice Line for expert advice.

 

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Who is who

The day to day running of the union is led by the union leadership team.

Hand ticking boxes with a pen

Rules and procedures

The National Education Union's rules set out its aims and objectives, how policy are formulated, who can join, and the functions of its local structures.

Westminster parliament buildings

Political fund

The funds we collect from members who wish to contribute will be used to influence politicians at events including party conferences, to oppose racism and fascism, and to encourage people to register to vote.

NEU members at NPYW 2024

NEU Trust Fund

The NEU Trust Fund Ltd is a charitable fund formed to give confidential support and financial assistance. It is there to assist members in times of illness or hardship.

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Financial statement

Statement to members of the National Education Union for the 12 months ended August 2023.

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Working at the NEU

Working at the National Education Union will provide you with opportunities to use your skills and experience to meet current challenges in the sector.

Hamilton House reception

Contact us

How to get in touch with membership, AdviceLine for employment matters, the NEU press office and our national and regional offices.

NEU Northern Ireland

In NEU Northern Ireland, the regional officials campaign to ensure that the Northern Ireland Assembly and education authorities provide the best for education professional and pupils in every educational institution in Northern Ireland.

NEU Cymru

NEU Cymru is Wales’ largest education union. It has a staff of 23, including a full-time solicitor, dealing with the needs of the education workforce. NEU Cymru campaigns to ensure that Welsh Government and local authorities provide the best for education professional and pupils in every educational institution in Wales. 

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