Coronavirus risk assessment - top tips
Risk assessments should be reviewed and revised for current circumstances, and NEU reps and members should be fully involved.
Advice
Updated guidance for reps on the wider opening of schools
The guidance is based around ‘Things you need to Do’ and ‘Things you need to Know’.
Vaccination
The NEU strongly urges all members who are able to receive the COVID vaccine to take it and here are frequently asked questions on vaccination for education staff.
Data protection for workplace reps
As a union representative (Rep) you are implicitly agreeing to abide by the Union’s responsibilities to data protection. This guide highlights the core of your responsibilities.
TPS age discrimination FAQs - February 2021
The Government has announced its decision on how to deal with age discrimination issues in Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). The issue and its solution affect pension arrangements for the vast majority of serving teachers.
Remote learning: tips for reps
Ten tips for workplace reps on establishing a school policy on remote learning.
Special schools supplementary Covid-19 guidance
Department of Education NI publishes supplementary guidance to the DE Coronavirus guidance for education settings (December 2020) previously issued to all schools.
Covid-19 risk assessments Northern Ireland
NEU continues to meet with DENI, the Education Authority, and the PHA and to raise a wide range of concerns for staff and pupils on substantive matters of health and safety.
Northern Ireland January guidance
NEU NI issue January guidance for NEU members in educational settings in Northern Ireland
School safety advice
Advice on safety in schools during lockdown.
Lateral flow testing in schools and colleges
Joint statement on behalf of NAHT, ASCL, NEU, NASUWT, AOC, NGA, The Church of England Education Office
Coronavirus: testing in schools and colleges
The union supports the concept of regular mass testing for staff and students as one of the measures to help prevent schools and colleges becoming Covid-19 hot spots. This is an important control measure following the return to full opening in March.
Covid-19 absences & impact on pay
This guidance applies to all staff - including substitute teachers and temporary non-teaching staff in response to absences because of Covid-19.
Updated guidance for schools on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This guidance for Northern Ireland provides the latest advice on absence, pay arrangements and staffing matters linked to COVID-19.
Coronavirus: leadership and workload
Leadership, Workload and Covid-19
Domestic Abuse Workplace Model Policy
Supporting victims and challenging the behaviour of perpetrators
Understanding your teacher’s time budget
Following our webinar, we have produced an advice note which contains FAQs, NEU checklist, and sources of additional information.
Domestic abuse and the workplace – leaders checklist
A guide for leaders on how to tackle domestic violence and the workplace
Domestic abuse and the workplace - a guide
A guide for members on how to tackle domestic abuse and the workplace
Domestic abuse and the workplace – a checklist for reps
A guide for NEU reps on how to tackle domestic abuse and the workplace
Capital Funding
Investment in school building needs to be a priority for the 2020s
Coronavirus and pregnancy
Covid-19 and pregnancy: Dos and Don’ts
Back care - awareness and prevention
This advice sets out how to spot hazards in low/“child” height working environments, and includes simple practical measures to prevent and reduce, pain, strain and injury.
Coronavirus : Northern Ireland ventilation and temperature advice
Our advice on ventilation in Covid-19 schools and workplaces.
Getting the most out of your agency
Advice for members on how to secure the best deal when employed by an agency
Securing direct employment on a supply basis
Cutting out the middleman – a marketing approach to applying for direct supply teaching work in schools
Coronavirus: sharing information on confirmed or suspected cases
Guidance for school leaders and health & safety reps including NEU advice on good practice and on privacy requirements.
Coronavirus: rota systems in secondary schools and colleges
Adopting rota systems in secondary schools and colleges can provide continuous education while helping to suppress the virus.
De-delegation of facility time – what are the benefits of buying in and buying back?
NEU workplace reps and branch officers are working hard to protect members and pupils during the Covid-19 crisis.
Coronavirus: Ofsted autumn interim visits
Guidance on workload and the Ofsted autumn interim visits
Coronavirus : Protect staff at greater risk from coronavirus – act now
Staff who are at greater risk of severe illness from coronavirus must be protected.
Coronavirus: ventilation and temperature
During the winter months, staff and students will be spending more time indoors. Ventilating indoor work areas, whilst at the same time ensuring a comfortable working temperature, will become more and more challenging.
Coronavirus: Dos and Don'ts
Covid-19 safety in schools. These are minimum standards for keeping everyone safe and ensuring reasonable working conditions.
Air pollution guidance for school and college staff
Joint guidance from The British Lung Foundation, Living Streets and the NEU
Concerns about face to face meetings in schools
NEU position remains that the coming together of large groups of adults in schools, for example staff meetings, parent meetings, open days, should be suspended.
Teachers’ time budget arrangements
As negotiated by NEU along with colleague in the NITC, until individual time budgets are in place, no teacher should be directed to work more than 32.4 hours in a single week.
Soulbury officers
Information on pay and conditions for Soulbury paid officers in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland Teachers' Pension Scheme (NITPS) - members' advice
Our advice today is that members hold off responding to the consultation until we are able to provide a more detailed response and guidance to members.
Coronavirus: childcare FAQs
Frequently asked questions on childcare during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: March opening - supplementary advice for peripatetic employees
This is supplementary advice for peripatetic staff who work across a number of schools and/or undertake home visits.
Guidance for results days in 2020
In any normal year there can be great anxiety for students, parents, carers and education staff in and around results day. This year will be no different but will have the added complexity of the extraordinary situation for awarding grades, appeals and entries into the autumn series.
Allegations of abuse against staff
What may happen and what you should do when allegations of abuse are made against you.
Pay progression – bargaining for equality
A guide for reps on equality in schools, including a checklist to ensure that all eligible members receive pay progression.
Coronavirus: Teacher pay and appraisal in England
The impact of the COVID-19 crisis means that, for all schools and academies, PRP is completely unworkable and should be suspended.
Coronavirus: advice for fuller opening
This advice has been issued by the joint unions (GMB, NEU, UNISON and UNITE) for use from March 8 onwards in schools and colleges.
Coronavirus : boarding schools - members advice
NEU advice on Covid-19 for members working in boarding schools during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: managing blended approaches
As schools face the challenges of the pandemic, teachers will be engaged in both face-to-face teaching and supporting remote learning.
Coronavirus: inspection briefing and checklist for health and safety reps
Inspection briefing and checklist for NEU health and safety reps to use during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: Awarding for qualifications summer 2020
Interim guidance for detailed submissions made to OFQUAL, DE, CCEA and others on awarding for qualifications Summer 2020.
Coronavirus and SEND FAQs
The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to specific issues in special schools and for SEND in mainstream schools. We have compiled checklists for special and mainstream schools, addressed your FAQs and created a Need to Know factsheet for SEND.
COVID-19 : Risk assessments for individual staff
Knowledge about the greater risks of Covid-19 to specific individuals and groups has grown during the current crisis.
Coronavirus: checklist for NEU Caseworkers
The following checklist will help you to assess, in discussion with the member, whether it is safe for a physical meeting to go ahead, and if not, whether a remote, digital, meeting is appropriate.
Coronavirus : FAQs for Black educators
Frequently asked questions for Black educators during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: school/college risk assessment
What to look out for in your school/college risk assessment
Coronavirus : checklist for supply educators
This National Education Union (NEU) checklist for supply members gives advice on working via supply agencies or directly with schools and colleges following wider opening from 8 March 2021 onwards in England and 22 February in Wales.
Coronavirus: medically vulnerable and higher risk groups
Advice on medically vulnerable - whether clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) or clinically vulnerable (CV) - and higher risk groups.
Supply teachers - pay, conditions and working time
Key questions and answers to supply teaching pay and conditions.
Coronavirus - supply educators guidance
We know that supply educators have experienced real difficulties since lockdown began. Those difficulties continue even with schools and colleges open.
Create Box
Not all home learning environments are equal. Put together Create Boxes for children in your school.
Coronavirus: face masks and PPE in schools and colleges
Ten points on the wearing of face coverings to reduce the risk of transmission and on circumstances where medical masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be appropriate.
Academy conversion during the COVID-19 lockdown
Some schools plan to continue with academy conversion during the COVID-19 crisis. This is despite the current lockdown meaning schools are closed to most pupils.
Coronavirus: what you need to know - staff mental health and wellbeing
Ten points on how to protect staff mental health during the Covid-19 crisis.
Coronavirus: pregnancy and maternity FAQs
Coronavirus FAQs for all members who are pregnant or on maternity leave
Coronavirus: pupil mental health and wellbeing
What you need to know about supporting child mental health and wellbeing
Coronavirus: Implementing social distancing in education settings
Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
Coronavirus - NQTs and trainees
NEU advice regarding the completion of initial teacher training courses and inducation of newly qualified teachers during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: ensuring safety in hubs
Leaders of schools that are being asked to join larger hubs should carefully evaluate the risks.
Coronavirus : safe home-based working
During the current period of lockdown and partial school/college opening many members will be working wholly or partly from home.
Coronavirus: Advice and guidance on exam cancellation (Northern Ireland)
Twelve points on exam cancellation for GCSEs, AS, A-levels and International Baccalaureate
Coronavirus: advice and guidance on exam cancellation (Wales)
Ten points on exam cancellation for GCSEs, AS-levels, A-levels and the Skills Challenge Certificate
Coronavirus - independent sector FAQs
Staff in independent schools should be consulted on any proposed significant changes to working conditions during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus and sick pay schemes
Relevant extracts from the Burgundy Book and Green Book sick pay schemes
Coronavirus - keeping yourself safe
Our major priority, during this awful crisis, is the health and safety of our members who are continuing to go to work to care for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.
Coronavirus - leadership advice
The NEU is committed to helping you ensure safety in the workplace for all staff and students in schools and colleges during this very challenging time.
Final checks before the transfer: Academy toolkit
A checklist for reps before transferring to a new employer
Understanding which rights transfer: Academy toolkit
Know your contractual rights so that you can ensure they transfer to any new employer.
Non pensionable allowances
Pensions advice note on non-pensionable allowances in the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme.
Academy toolkit - working in an academy
Know your rights, so you can act collectively to safeguard them.
Information and consultation: Academy toolkit
TUPE information and consultation process and the key issues to be aware of
What is TUPE about?
TUPE is shorthand for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection and Employment) Regulations 2006, a legal framework around which you can involve and engage members to act collectively to protect and advance their rights as they transfer to a new employer.
Preparing for a transfer: Academy toolkit
The process of transferring staff from one employer to another (eg an academy) is governed by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 ( TUPE).
Workload - a health and safety issue
NEU Guidance for Members, Reps and Local Officers on how health and safety reps can use their powers can work with members to address excessive workload.
Photographic policies
NEU Guidance for Members, Reps and Local Officers around the development and implementation of photograpic policies in schools
Parental bereavement leave
A brief summary of the right to parental bereavement leave and how it can be claimed.
Health and Safety Model Policy - Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on health and safety policy in academy trusts.
Relationships at Work - Model Policy
From time to time, personal relationships may exist or develop between work colleagues. This model policy is designed to help NEU members manage expectations to ensure such situations are dealt with fairly and consistently.
LGBT+ inclusion: school governors/trustees
As a school governor / trustee, you are responsible for ensuring the school’s practices are consistent with its values and ethos, even where these may be different to your own.
LGBT+ inclusion: reps and officers
Every school and district should be having a conversation about LGBT+ inclusion.
Social Media - Model Policy for Schools
This policy is intended to minimise the risks that can impact on the wellbeing of staff, pupils and the reputation of the school/trust.
LGBT+ inclusion: LGBT+ members
It is often the most unpleasant voices that we hear the loudest and whether you are out at work or not, it can be extremely isolating being a lone LGBT+ staff member.
LGBT+ inclusion: members
LGBT+ inclusion involves reviewing the curriculum and lesson plans across all subjects to eliminate heteronormative bias, and ensure sexual orientations and gender identities are represented.
Reorganisation Model Policy - Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on Reorganisation to help you negotiate a policy acceptable to the union.
Reorganisation- model policy
This model policy is designed for use by NEU members so they are able to understand how to approach their school reorganising.
Life Balance for Teachers Model Policy- Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on balance their working lives with their other commitments.
Drug and alcohol- model policy
This policy forms part of the employer’s overall commitment to safety, good employee relations and the promotion of health, safety and welfare at work.
Life Balance for Teachers - Model Policy
All teachers, including head teachers are entitled to enjoy a reasonable work/life balance. This policy is designed to ensure that all teachers are able to balance their working lives with their other commitments.
Appraisal- model policy
Joint NEU and NAHT model policy Model policy for appraising teacher performance.
Harassment and bullying- school model policy
This harassment and bullying model policy is comprised of two sections: a model policy statement and a model procedure for dealing with complaints of harassment and bullying.
Harassment and Bullying Model Policy - Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on harassment and bullying in schools.
Disciplinary Procedures Model Policy - Checklist
This checklist will help you negotiate a policy acceptable to the union.
Disciplinary model policy
This policy is designed to help and encourage all NEU members to achieve and maintain appropriate standards of behaviour and conduct
Capability Procedures Model Policy - Checklist
The objective of formal and/or informal support should be to improve staff performance where appropriate, and not to penalise staff for failing to meet management expectations.
Capability procedure for school staff
This guidance may apply to all school staff except where reference is made to appraisal, which is a process applicable only to teachers.
Whistleblowing Procedures Model Policy - Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on whistleblowing and disclosures in schools.
Managing stress and wellbeing in FE
This guidance explains why taking stress seriously and tackling it will make your college a more effective organisation, and how to go about it, with step-by step advice and case studies from colleges that have found approaches that work
Whistleblowing - Model Policy
The most common queries on whistleblowing and disclosures in schools.
School closures
The purpose of this document is to provide brief advice to members if they are told that their school is due to close.
Equality Statement Model Policy - Checklist
The most common queries NEU members have on equality in schools.
Data protection: rights and obligations
The purpose of this guidance is to provide a broad outline of rights and responsibilities under data protection legislation.
Pensions tax relief
Information for members on pensions tax relief - annual allowances and lifetime allowance
Equality Model Statement
An NEU equality model statement to be used to promote equal opportunity for all staff in a school/trust.
Protection of children and vulnerable adults in FE Colleges
Advice on what NEU reps should expect colleges to have in place to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Lesson observation in FE Colleges
This guidance outlines NEU best practice models for both the conduct of lesson observations and the Teaching and Learning Observation System (TLOS) framework within which they are conducted.
Special Leave Model Policy - Checklist
The model policy sets out a full range of situations for which leave may be required and which should be covered in any policy, together with recommendations on levels of paid and unpaid leave.
Express and implied contract terms
This document provides a basic overview of how the terms forming part of most contracts of employment work.
Redundancy in the FE sector (for reps)
Redundancy has unfortunately become a fact of life for education staff in recent years. This guidance is for workplace reps about redundancy and the consultation process that NEU’s FE members whose posts are at risk should expect.
Constructive dismissal
This guidance provides NEU members with a basic understanding of constructive dismissal, and the pros and cons of claiming constructive dismissal.
Restructuring in FE Colleges
When colleges are going through restructuring members understandably look to their union for support and advice. This guidance is intended to assist NEU college reps in dealing with the issue and ensuring that restructures are carried out fairly and transparently.
Educational visits
Educational visits can be of substantial benefit to the education and development of pupils.
Deregulation of FE teaching
NEU believes deregulation strikes at the heart of teaching professionalism in FE. It will do nothing to boost low morale and could herald further attacks on pay and conditions alongside further rises in duties and workload.
Taking ownership of your CPD in FE
Advice on ways NEU members can argue for, and develop, adequate CPD for teaching and educational professionals.
DBS Checks
This guidance is intended for NEU members to address issues which commonly arise in relation to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Misconduct and the teaching regulation agency
The purpose of this guidance is to explain the functions of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) in relation to alleged professional misconduct.
NEU Grievance Model Policy
This model policy outlines procedures to help NEU members resolve grievances relating to their employment as quickly and as fairly as possible.
Attendance Management Model Policy - Checklist
This checklist should be used by NEU Members to help you negotiate a policy acceptable to the union.
Grievance Procedures Model Policy - Checklist
This checklist should be used alongside the NEU’s model policy on grievances to help negotiate an acceptable policy. Where everything on this checklist cannot be secured, members must be consulted on whether the proposed policy is sufficiently positive to be acceptable.
Special Leave Model Policy
The aim of this model policy on special leave is to provide a framework that schools can adopt to enable employees to request reasonable time off for a variety of personal, domestic, family, civic and public duties which impact on their working lives.
Attendance Management
NEU guidance for members who are unable to work due to illness and assist them back in to work as quickly as it is possible.
Appraisal Review Meetings
The most common queries NEU members have on preparing for a teacher appraisal review meeting.
Threshold progression and the upper pay range
The Upper Pay Range is a pay range offering significantly higher pay than the main pay range. This advice helps explain progression to the Upper Pay Range.
Parental request for asbestos information
A model letter which can be sent by parents to the head teacher of their child’s school to request information about asbestos in the school
Photocopiers in schools
This briefing sets out advice on the safe use of photocopiers in schools.
Fire safety
This briefing sets out NEU advice on the requirements of the fire legislation covering schools and on fire safety precautions to be followed in schools. It takes account of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Key facts about the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
NEU Guidance for Members, Reps and Local Officers
Keeping happy and healthy
This guidance document is aimed at NEU members who are worried that their mental health is suffering because of the demands of their work. It will also be of use to NEU members who are considering returning to work following a spell of absence due to a mental health condition.
Safety of school minibuses
This page outlines the key legal requirements for drivers and operators of school minibuses and describes the support school staff should be given before they agree to drive a school minibus.
Falls from height
This NEU briefing provides guidance to safety representatives and members on taking action to reduce the incidence of accidents and injuries due to falls from height, including the legal requirements on employers, practical steps which can be taken and sources of further advice and information.
Pay progression for teachers
This advice summarises how performance related pay progression works for teachers.
Pay safeguarding for teachers
Pay safeguarding applies when your employer determines your pay should be reduced. It allows a period of time for you to adjust to the lower pay.
The role of the safety rep
Safety representatives play a vital role in promoting safety in the workplace. This briefing covers the appointment of safety reps and their rights and functions.
Safety inspections
This briefing advises safety reps on the steps to be taken in arranging and carrying out safety inspections and preparing inspection reports
Online stress survey guidance for reps in sixth form and FE colleges
In response to requests for assistance with undertaking stress surveys, a system has been developed which enables the NEU to provide an online staff stress survey as a resource for local officers, reps and safety reps.
Online stress survey guidance for local officers, reps and safety reps
The NEU offers an online staff stress survey as a resource for local officers, reps and safety reps to assist them gather evidence about stress levels within a school and establish the causes and impact of this workplace stress.
Online Safety - Protecting School Staff and Pupils
NEU Guidance for members, reps and local officers.
Managing Health and Safety
This briefing considers the management of health and safety in schools and colleges and the respective roles of the employer, governing body, head teacher and other staff of the school.
Health and Safety Legal Framework
This NEU briefing tells you about the framework of health and safety law - in particular about the legal duties placed on employees, employers and others by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and about other sources of health and safety law.
Health and Safety Advisor's Briefing - Advice on Facilities Time
This briefing examines the various means by which branches can attempt to secure adequate levels of paid time off for health and safety advisers to perform their various functions and the legal provisions which can be used to support them.
Using Health and Safety as a Tool to Help Campaign Against Academies
NEU Guidance for Reps and Local Officers
Ensuring Effective Health and Safety in Academies
NEU Guidance for Reps and Local Officers
RSE - guidance for members in England
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) will be changing for schools in England from September 2020.
Contract of employment - guidance for teachers in England
This guidance sets out the items that must be covered in your employment contract (or statement of particulars).
Dealing with police investigation
You may one day be unfortunate enough to find yourself accused of criminal activity. Being the subject of an allegation can be hugely stressful, but it may help if you are aware of how police investigations work.
Ofsted inspection - advice for school leaders in England
The new Ofsted inspection framework is focused on the quality of the school’s curriculum, and as a school leader, you have difficult decisions to make to balance staffing with budget in your school.
Ofsted inspection - advice for members on the main or upper pay range
The new Ofsted inspection framework is putting increasing pressure on members, particularly primary subject leaders and this is due to problems with school funding and staff recruitment which the new framework does not take into account.
Preventing work related mental health conditions
As a school leader, it is important to ensure that your school is a great place to work, with a happy and healthy workforce and low levels of sick leave.
Protecting staff mental health
It is important to understand the extent of governing body’s responsibilities for managing health, safety and welfare of teachers and ways in which the NEU and governors can work together to safeguard the mental health of teachers.
Radon in schools
Advice on radon and preventative measures that should be taken in schools to avoid exposure.
Resisting the resilience approach to work related stress
This advice explains the ‘resilience’ approach, why it does not lead to meaningful improvements for employees and how safety reps should instead seek to tackle work related stress in their school or college.
Risk assessment
This advice gives information on the legal requirement for employers to carry out risk assessments and the extent to which teachers and school staff can be required to assist in the process.
Safety in practical lessons
This advice gives NEU guidance on the law’s requirements on assessing the safety of practical activities and on taking steps to ensure that these do not pose risks to the safety of staff or pupils.
Guidance on classroom observation protocol in England
Classroom observation is developmental and supportive, the NEU has produced guidance and protocol for conducting classroom observation in England.
Classroom observation protocol in Wales
Guidance on classroom observation protocol in Wales
Setting appraisal objectives - NEU guidance
This NEU guidance addresses the need to secure fair and reasonable objectives for teachers at the very start of the appraisal process.
Learning walks model policy
Model policy covering learning walks and drop ins.
Appraisal policy checklist
This checklist will help you negotiate a policy acceptable to the union.
Model policy for appraising teacher performance
The NEU and National Association of Head Teachers joint model policy for appraising teacher performance
Older teachers
This advice considers a number of health and social issues which may affect older school staff and suggests sources of further information and support.
Playground supervision
This advice sets out advice and guidance on playground supervision to allow children to play safely.
Health and safety for NQTs and student teachers
This advice contains advice about health and safety matters which both newly qualified and student teachers should be aware of when entering the profession.
Mould in schools
Mould is a health and safety issue as it can cause a variety of health problems.
Mobile phone photography
This advice focuses on the potential of mobile phone photography to lead to bullying and harassment of others within the school community.
Asbestos Management Assurance Process (England 2019) - A User's Guide
This is a guide to using the data which has been made available via the DfE Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP). It aims to assist local officers in extracting information about asbestos in schools in their area, and in seeking to fill in some of the gaps.
The NEU Case Against Academisation
Academisation is driving down staff pay, terms and conditions, alienating communities and has caused the fragmentation of the education system. Despite this, English schools are still being put under pressure to become academies and to join multi-academy trusts (MATs).
Menopause guide and checklist for reps
The menopause is an occupational health issue for women educators, as well as being an equality issue. It is important that schools and colleges are suitable workplaces for menopausal women. The purpose of this guide and checklist for reps is to signpost you to advice, and to support you in improving workplace conditions for menopausal women.
Menopause guide and checklist for leaders
NEU leadership members are key to supporting women going through the menopause in the workplace. As a leader, you’re not alone. Collaboration between leaders, governors, workplace reps, health and safety reps and a staff support network can go a long way towards creating a supportive environment for women experiencing menopause symptoms at work.
Working through the menopause
The purpose of this guidance is to suggest practical ways in which the school and college environment can be improved for women who are going through the menopause.
Professional standards for teaching assistants
Unions representing support staff have issued these teaching assistant standards for all stakeholders to promote and adopt
Islamophobia damages all of us
Education has a key role to play in countering the international, national and local climate of Islamophobia.
Residential teachers
Pay and conditions for teachers in residential establishments are aligned with those in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), the Burgundy Book and the Independent Pay Review Body in Wales since 2019, other than the following allowances and pay scales.
Flexible working
Your rights to ask for flexible working, i.e. a change in your terms and conditions relating to the hours you work, the times you work or whether you work at home for all or part of the week. You are encouraged to take informal steps before using the statutory procedure.
Childcare Disqualification
The purpose of this document is to summarise the childcare disqualification arrangements operating from 31 August 2018 for members in England.
Retirement age
Guide for teachers and other school staff who wish to continue working beyond age 65
Pay framework for teachers in sixth form colleges
Guidance on the pay framework for sixth form college teachers and advice for NEU representatives for college level discussions on its implementation.
NEU Mental Health Charter
This charter, when followed, will help to ensure that the way work is organised does not cause or contribute to ill-health.
Support staff workload in the state sector
NEU believes that the increase in the quantity and complexity of work for school support staff has now reached crisis point. This advice is designed to help those working in state and academy schools to deal with this unmanageable workload.
Support staff workload in the independent sector
NEU believes that the increase in the quantity and complexity of work for school support staff has now reached crisis point. This advice is designed to help those working in independent schools to deal with this unmanageable workload.
HLTAs and cover supervisors
NEU advice giving a brief synopsis of the advent of the Workload Agreement, and the ‘dos and don’ts’ for HLTAs and cover supervisors.
Classroom observations of support staff
NEU advice on observation by colleagues and others of support staff in schools.
Industrial action by other Unions
Advice to NEU members
Industrial Action by Staff
NEU advice to members who are head teachers and principals.
Support staff job descriptions and job evaluation
Support staff guidance on job descriptions – their accuracy, and how to go about changing them, and details on job evaluation.
Lone Working: Support Staff
NEU advice on risks of lone working and what can be done to counter them.
Personal Care of Pupils
This advice aims to clarify your rights and responsibilities related to toilet-related care of pupils.
Support staff employment rights
The employment rights of support staff in maintained and academy sectors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Umbrella and limited companies
Umbrella’ and ‘limited’ companies have been around for a while now, but they still retain the capacity to cause confusion. This guidance aims to de-mystify both concepts.
Religion or belief harassment
Who is protected from religion or belief harassment and the first steps you should take if you think you are being subjected to such harassment.
Religion or belief discrimination
Who is protected from discrimination on grounds of religion or belief and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Age harassment
Who is protected from harassment on grounds of age and the first steps you should take if you think you are being subjected to such harassment.
Age discrimination
Who is protected from age discrimination and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Sexual orientation harassment
Who is protected from harassment on grounds of sexual orientation, and the first steps you should take if you think you have been harassed at work.
Sexual orientation discrimination
Who is protected from sexual orientation discrimination, and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Transgender harassment
Who is protected from harassment on grounds of transgender status,and the first steps you should take if you think you have been harassed at work.
Transgender discrimination
Who is protected from transgender discrimination, and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Sexual harassment
Who is protected from sexual harassment and the first steps you should take if you think you are being subjected to such harassment.
Trade union victimisation
Trade union victimisation, who is protected from it and the first steps you should take if you think you have been victimised at work.
Disability harassment
The legal definition of harassment on grounds of disability, who is protected and the first steps you should take if you think you are being subjected to such harassment.
Disability discrimination
The legal definition of disability discrimination, who is protected and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Violence and assaults against staff in schools
This model policy sets out how employer will seek to prevent workplace violence in its schools, and the procedures that will be followed if a violent incident occurs.
Tuberculosis in Schools
This briefing gives information about tuberculosis (TB) and steps to be taken when cases arise in schools among students or teachers.
Medical assessments while in employment
Issues which often arise in relation to medical assessments at work.
Sex discrimination
The legal definitions of sex discrimination, who is protected and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Women’s health and safety
It is essential that health and safety in schools should be gender sensitive and appropriate.
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination
The legal definitions of pregnancy and maternity discrimination, who is protected and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Workload and working time
The purpose of this advice is to summarise teachers’ conditions of service, as set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).
Harassment and bullying in schools
How to deal with cases of harassment and bullying of NEU members.
Racial Harassment
The legal definition of racial harassment, who is protected and the first steps you should take if you think you are being subjected to racial harassment.
Race discrimination
The legal definitions of race discrimination, who is protected, and the first steps you should take if you think you have been discriminated against at work.
Judges’ and firefighters’ age discrimination pension case
The government has published its response to the July 2020 public consultation - Public service pension schemes: changes to the transition arrangements to the 2015 schemes consultation. The NEU is pleased that the government has adopted our position and favours ‘Deferred Choice’.
Baseline FAQs
Answers to questions about Baseline for organisers and activists
Support staff term-time working
An initial section of guidance on term-time working has now been agreed between the local government employers and the recognised trade unions
Collective bargaining starter for ten
Ten bullet points on independent sector collective bagaining.
Trade union recognition in the independent sector
How to achieve a union recognition agreement in the independent sector.
Pay scales in academies and trusts
Details of how academies and trusts set pay scales and what pay and conditions arrangements are in place in these workplaces.
Medical Reports
Some of the most common issues arising in relation to medical reports prepared by GPs, occupational health physicians and other health professionals on behalf of employers, pension scheme trustees and health insurers.
School Direct trainee teachers
The National Education Union has produced this 22-point checklist as a guide for School Direct trainee teachers setting out the minimum expectations for their teacher training year.
Work Equipment
Employers must seek to ensure, again ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’, that non-employees are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.
Teachers’ sick pay and sick leave entitlement
Most teachers will at some point need to take sick leave. This document sets out arrangements for teachers’ sick pay and sick leave.
Career average pension
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme will provide much of your retirement income so it is vital that you understand it. This guidance covers the career average section of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) in which most members are accruing pension.
Social Media and Online Safety
Advice on how to stay safe online and protect your online reputation, and information about commonly used social media sites and how their misuse might have implications in schools and colleges.
Sickness absence monitoring
Guidance about the operation of absence monitoring/management procedures so that members are better informed about what to expect.
Sexting incidents in school
What is sexting, how common is it, and what are my rights and responsibilities?
Phased return to work
Returning to work after a long illness can be daunting. A well-supported phased return can make the process easier. This guidance describes what a phased return to work is, how it operates and answers common queries.
Cover - NEU guidance for teaching and support staff members in England & Wales
Providing cover for absent colleagues is not a good use of teachers’ time - and the inappropriate use of support staff to provide that cover is a major and growing problem in schools.
Part time teachers’ pay and conditions
An introduction to the pay and conditions arrangements of part time teachers.
Pay appeals
Advice on identifying the grounds for a pay appeal and on how you might run a successful one.
Pay for leadership teachers
The most common queries NEU members have on pay for leadership teachers in schools and academies.
Health and safety for supply teachers
Health and safety issues for supply teachers, including those employed directly by local authorities, schools and academy trusts and those employed via supply agencies.
Teaching in independent schools
Guidance on matters to consider in relation to pay and conditions when working in the independent sector.
The teachers' pay structure
This Q&A document is a comprehensive overview to the teachers’ pay structure and classroom teachers’ pay scales for 2020-21.
TLR payments and other allowances
Advice on Teaching & Learning Responsibility Payments (TLRs) and other allowances such as Special Educational Needs allowances and Recruitment and Retention payments.
Agency worker regulations
What are the Agency Worker Regulations 2010 and what protection do they offer supply teachers?
Supporting supply teachers
How can I get the most from supply teaching and avoid the worst problems facing supply teachers today?
Unattached teachers
This guidance summarises the position in respect of pay and conditions for unattached teachers employed by local authorities.
Starting pay on appointment
This guidance is aimed at new teachers and those returning to teaching service after a break. It explains the basics of the pay structure and gives advice on ensuring you are fairly paid and able to seek the most favourable use of pay discretions.
School pay policies
All schools, including academies, should have a pay policy which sets out how decisions are taken on pay matters including pay assessments, pay progression, discretionary payments, appeals etc.
Out of school hours activities
guidance on the pay and conditions implications of teachers’ participation in out-of-school-hours learning activities.
Agency supply teachers: workplace pensions
Advice on your eligibility for and access to workplace pension schemes as an agency supply teacher.
The 2014 local government pension scheme
An overview of the Local Government Pension Scheme, introduced in 2014
Sixth form college pay
Pay scales and updates on pay negotiations for sixth form colleges.
Tackling workload in sixth form colleges
Workload in colleges and schools has reached unprecedented levels. Take action on workload in sixth form colleges today.
State pension
Information about the single-tier state pension and changes to the state retirement age.
Different pension schemes available
In whatever capacity you work in education, there is likely to be an occupational scheme available for you to join and you may have automatic membership as soon as you are employed.
Final salary pension
Information about the final salary section of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), including how to find out if you are in this TPS section.
Voice care for teachers
Advice for teachers on voice care, including spotting problems, simple preventative measures and information on how and when to seek appropriate specialist help
Tackling stress
Excessive workload and working hours are continually cited by teachers as one of the main causes of their workplace stress. This advice explains how to tackle stress at a local level in your workplace.
Violence in schools
Advice about violence issues in schools, in particular how this should be tackled by employers.
Private tuition
It is common for teachers to offer private tuition to students. Before doing so, there are several important issues to consider, such as legal and insurance protection and health and safety issues.
Equal pay and The Equal Pay Act 1970
The campaign for equal pay has a long history; one which is still ongoing.
Severe winter conditions and adverse weather
A quick guide on what to do in severe winter conditions or adverse weather.
Supporting trans and gender questioning students
In the last few years there has been much work done, raising awareness and increasing the visibility of transgender issues. This advice aims to helps school and college staff support gender variant or questioning students in the educational environment.
10 tips to tackle disablist language based bullying in school - a guide for staff
The use of verbal abuse as a form of bullying of disabled children and young people is widespread. This has a significant negative impact on self-esteem and achievement.
The right to vote
The right to vote was a hard-won milestone in the battle for equality
Women and poverty
The NEU is concerned about how poverty disproportionately affects women.
Equality toolkit
This toolkit is aimed at school representatives, teacher governors and NEU officers to use to promote good policies and practices in schools and colleges.
It's just everywhere - sexism in schools
The results of UK Feminista and NEU’s groundbreaking study are clear: schools, education bodies and Government must take urgent action to tackle sexism in schools. "It's just everywhere" is a study on sexism in schools and how we tackle it.
Supply teacher rights
Supply teachers who are in a 'pool' maintained by a LA, those located through the school's own contacts, or part-timers who wish to temporarily increase their hours, are likely to be employees of the school or LA for their period of supply work.
Support staff pay and conditions
Pay and conditions agreement for support staff - most LA schools use the local government pay scales to pay their support staff in conjunction with National Joint Council (NJC) terms and conditions.
Health enquiries and applicants for work
This guidance is intended to clarify the circumstances in which existing and prospective employers are entitled to make enquiries about a worker’s health and dispel some of the myths which may give rise to discriminatory practice.
Settlement agreements
What settlement agreements are, when and why they are used, and the implications of signing one.
FGM: Mandatory Reporting
Clarification of the law on mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The four-week rule and redundancy payments
This guidance supplements the NEU factsheet 'Redundancy, pay and entitlements' and provides members with an explanation of the circumstances in which the four-week rule will apply.
Recording allegations of abuse
Clarifying the procedures which employers must follow when recording allegations of abuse against teachers.
References
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about job references.
Disclosing capability information
This advice explains the circumstances in which schools may disclose capability information to prospective employers.
Legal Responsibilities
Like others on the way to gaining QTS, you may be feeling anxious about your legal position while in the classroom. This brief summary should help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Relationships with pupils, colleagues and parents
There are lots of relationships to get used to when you first go into the classroom. Here are some tips for navigating relationships with pupils, colleagues and parents.
Your rights as a rep
As a workplace rep, you have certain rights under employment law.
Redundancy pay and entitlements
Advice explaining the payments and entitlements you may receive if your post becomes redundant. In any case where redundancy is threatened, specific advice and assistance is available and should be sought from your school/college rep or division/association/branch secretary.
Fixed-term contracts
The legal definitions of fixed-term or temporary contracts and what steps members should take if they believe that they have been treated less favourably or denied a permanent contract in breach of the fixed-term contract regulations.
Redundancy
Common questions that arise when a member of staff is selected for redundancy.
Whistleblowing
The legal protection provided and union support available to members who choose to blow the whistle on employers.
Capability procedure
NEU guidance surrounding capability proceedings
Cyberbullying of school staff
Advice for NEU members who are victims of cyberbullying and to set out the support that can be provided by the NEU.
ALPS and performance management
The term ALPS is derived from A-Level Performance System. ALPS aims to provide value added scores to colleges and to individual courses.
Swimming safety in schools
Advice for teachers and school staff who teach swimming or supervise swimming, including qualifications, training and safety.
Sun safety
How schools can help protect pupils from sun exposure and advice around sunscreen.
Work and suicide
If someone is threatening imminent suicide call 999 and stay with them until the emergency services arrive.
Stress risk assessment
A stress risk assessment is a careful examination of what in a workplace could cause staff to suffer from work-related stress, so that you can weigh up whether you have done enough, or should do more to prevent harm.
Standards for school premises (Wales)
There is a vast range of legislation on health and safety matters which applies in whole, or in part, to schools in Wales. This briefing identifies those which will be most relevant and the areas which they cover.
Standards for school premises (England)
There is a vast range of legislation on health and safety matters which applies in whole, or in part, to schools. This briefing identifies those which will be most relevant and the areas which they cover.
The case for sprinklers in schools
Every year, many schools are damaged or destroyed by fires, affecting the education of thousands of pupils, and causing millions of pounds worth of damage. The impact of fires is significantly reduced by fitting sprinklers in schools.
Space requirements in classrooms
Overcrowding is a common problem in classrooms. Unfortunately, there are no legal minimum space requirements specifying classroom dimensions. There are, however, a number of legal provisions and sources of guidance that can be drawn upon in challenging cramped teaching areas
Slips, trips and falls
How to reduce the incidence of accidents and injuries in schools due to slips, trips and falls.
Health and safety in sixth form colleges
The basic framework of health and safety law for sixth form colleges
Sickle cell and thalassaemia
Advice for school staff to support the uninterrupted education of children with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia.
Seat belts and car restraints
Information for school staff who transport children in their own car on the law and regulations regarding child car seats and seatbelts.
Screening and searching pupils for prohibited items
Our NEU policy and advice on screening and searching pupils for prohibited items in schools in England and Wales.
School visits
Advice about health and safety on school trips, including legal rights and obligations.
NEU Recognition & Recruitment in the Post-16 Sector in England & Wales
This advice is intended to assist in discussions in relation to recognition and recruitment in FE colleges and sixth form colleges where there are National Education Union (NEU) members.
School security
Advice about school security, in particular at security arrangements and methods to deal with intruders.
Employment rights in the further education sector
Details of your statutory rights as an employee in the Further education sector. In some cases your contract will provide you with better terms and conditions and, if this is the case, those better terms and conditions will apply.
Mental health conditions in the education profession
Excessive workload is a key cause of mental health problems among teachers and education professionals. This advice explains what to do if you are struggling with mental health and outlines the different ways you can get support.
Meningitis in schools
Information about meningitis and what should be done when an outbreak occur in a school.
Who is responsible for health and safety?
Who is responsible for the management of health and safety in schools and colleges and the respective roles of the employer, governing body, head teacher and other staff of the school.
Employment rights in sixth form colleges
Details about your employment rights under the Red Book as well as the minimum rights you are entitled to under general employment law.
Lone working
As teachers and school staff often work on their own, there are some key health and safety issues that employers must consider.
Lifting and handling
Advice on the health and safety issues relating to lifting and handling that school staff face while at work
Trade union recognition
Trade union recognition is a formal agreement with an employer for a particular union to undertake collective bargaining on behalf of that employer's staff.
Employee rights in the independent sector
Details about your employment rights in independent schools in England, Wales and Scotland.
Pay in the independent sector
As private businesses outside the national collective bargaining structure in the maintained sector, independent schools have greater freedom to set their own terms and conditions of employment.
Legionnaires’ Disease in schools
The symptoms, treatments and preventative measures that should be taken in schools to avoid outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.
Administering medicines
Advice for teachers and support staff on the administration of medicines
Tackling workload together
Our workload guidance will help you identify tasks or activities which are unnecessary, have no education benefit and cause the most stress.
Acoustics in schools
Advice on classroom acoustics and reducing the risk of vocal strain on teachers
Infectious diseases in schools
General advice about how to manage cases of infectious illness in schools, including when children should be absent.
Individual pupil behaviour risk assessments
Advice on the ways in which violent or threatening pupil behaviour can successfully be tackled using standard risk management techniques.
The Health and Safety Executive and its relationship with schools
Advice on the role of the Health and Safety Executive in schools
Hygiene control in schools
Advice on the appropriate hygiene procedures for schools which will help to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis A, B and C, and conditions such as dysentery.
Hot weather and classroom temperature
Hot summers bring regular queries about the maximum temperatures under which staff and pupils should be expected to work in schools.
Hepatitis in schools
Advice on what precautions to take when a case of viral hepatitis arises in a school or where a known carrier of the disease is a pupil in the school.
Head lice in schools
How to tackle the problem of head lice in schools, including facts about head lice and head lice treatment
Cold weather and classroom temperature (England)
Advice on the heating levels in schools and classrooms in England, and how to deal with the various types of heating problems which are commonly encountered during cold weather and snow.
Cold weather and classroom temperature (Wales)
Advice on the heating levels in schools and classrooms in Wales, and how to deal with the various types of heating problems which are commonly encountered during cold weather and snow.
First aid in schools
Advice on the requirements for first aid provision in schools
Epilepsy in schools
Advice on how to deal with epilepsy and seizures in schools, including how to recognise when a pupil might be having a seizure.
Emergency procedures in schools
Advice on the procedures for dealing with emergencies in schools.
Facts about asbestos in schools
At least 86 per cent of schools contain asbestos, all of it old and much of it deteriorating. Unless your school was wholly built after 1999, it is extremely likely that it contains asbestos.
Asbestos in schools
Advice on dealing with asbestos problems in schools, including the law on asbestos removal and management in schools.
High classroom temperatures
Supporting NEU members in schools which suffer particularly badly in times of extreme heat.
Model health and safety policy for academy trusts
A model health and safety policy for academy trusts, where no such policy is in place or where the existing policy is considered to be inadequate.
Pay policy checklist
This checklist should be used alongside the National Education Union model policy to help you negotiate a policy acceptable to the NEU.
Pay model policy
This model pay policy will help to recruit, retain and motivate teachers, provide the basis for sound financial and personnel planning and minimise the risk of grievance and discrimination.
Pay appeals - checklist
This checklist will help you prepare for meetings about recommendations to deny pay progression and appeals hearings after a decision has been taken to deny pay progression.
Pay appeals - model letters
Model letters for meetings about recommendations and appeals hearings around denial of pay progression.
Pay progression for school leaders
This guide gives advice to leaders on how their pay progression system works.
Work outside of the classroom
Advice for trainee members on the additional work outside the classroom you may be involved in.
The role of a mentor
Advice for trainee members on the role of a mentor, how to work best with your mentor and what to do if you feel you are not being supported.
Winning pay appeals
This guide gives advice on securing pay progression by persuading governors not to accept a recommendation to deny pay progression or by appealing successfully against a decision to deny progression.
School maintenance and construction work
Advice on legal requirements and good practice for construction work in schools and a stage-by-stage guide to the role of safety representatives.
Electrical safety
NEU guidance on the law and practical advice on electrical safety in schools
Securing pay progression
This is a guide on steering a course through your appraisal and the pay decision process to ensure that you can secure pay progression.
Standards for food safety in schools
NEU guidance on health and safety issues with safe preparation of food in schools.
Safe use of data projectors
Precautions to be taken to avoid discomfort and possible damage to the eye when using data projectors
Understanding pay progression
This guide gives advice on how the pay progression system for classroom teachers works.
Continence and toilet issues in schools
Guidance on issues regarding pupil incontinence, and how schools can adopt policies to help.
Flooding in Schools
Advice on responding to flood alerts in schools and dealing with the aftermath.
Dust in schools
Advice on what employers need to do to protect staff from the problems caused by wood dust and MDF dust.
Classroom ergonomics
The issues around ergonomics in classrooms and good practices for school staff.
School car parks
Frequently asked questions in relation to staff car parking on school premises. It includes information on provision of school car parks, charges for car parking, car park safety and malicious damage to cars.
Class Sizes
Guidance on maximum class and room sizes
Asthma in Schools
Guidance on what asthma is, what can trigger it, and how to support pupils at risk
Anaphylaxis in schools
A guide to what anaphylaxis is, and how to support pupils at risk
Animals in education and guidance on farm visits
Advice on the main health, safety, welfare and legal factors surrounding animals in schools.
Diabetes in schools
Information and guidance for school staff to support the uninterrupted education of children with diabetes.
Reasonable adjustments at work
The Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to premises or working practices to ensure that employees are not disadvantaged because of their disability.
Meetings with management
Practical tips to help when asked to attend an urgent meeting with the head or principal at short notice without being given an agenda or an indication of its purpose
Notice periods
This guidance sets out the obligations of employers and employees in relation to notice periods and notice pay.
Trans educators toolkit
The NEU Trans Equality Toolkit provides information for education staff on transitioning in school/college.
Making work fit
The duty to make reasonable adjustments requires school and college leaders to proactively identify barriers (both physical and attitudinal) to the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace.
Maternity rights
As well as statutory maternity rights, most teachers are also covered by the maternity rights scheme for teachers, set out in the Burgundy Book national agreement on conditions of service.
Winning an acceptable pay policy
This guide explains how to challenge unfair pay policies and secure a fair pay policy in your school.
Classroom observations of NQTs
What to expect from classroom observations as a trainee teacher, including feedback, professional reviews and formal assessment meetings.
Induction checklist
What you should know before you start your induction, the support you should expect during the induction programme, your timetable, raising concerns and professional development.
Behaviour tips for trainee teachers
Tips for trainee members on managing behaviour in the classroom, including tips for your first lesson and managing conflict.
Managing behaviour
Advice for trainees on managing behaviour in the classroom, including physical and social contact and infatuations.
Lesson planning
Advice for trainee members on lesson planning, timing and pacing, and tips on how to save time.
Starting your teaching placement
What to expect on your teaching placement, including advice on what you should and should not be asked to do in the classroom.
Before you start your teaching placement
Guidance on what you can do to ensure you have the best start on your trainee placement, including a visit to the school and familiarising yourself with policies and procedures.
Workload : marking
The Independent Teacher Workload Review Groups were established by the DfE to report on, and suggest solutions to, unnecessary burdens associated with marking, planning and data management.
How to develop a workload campaign in your school
Any actions to tackle excessive workload and working hours will be more effective if taken together, with staff and leaders working collaboratively to make a positive change across the whole workplace.