Coronavirus - independent schools
Staff in independent schools should be consulted on any proposed significant changes to working conditions during the coronavirus outbreak.
NEU is recognised by more independent sector employers than any other union. Approximately 100 independent schools negotiate staff terms and conditions with NEU, of which roughly half include all support staff as well as teachers.
As a modern trade union, NEU believes in the ethos of the school community and that the contribution of all staff is equally important. Consequently, the NEU welcomes into membership all staff working in the independent sector: teachers and teaching assistants, technicians and librarians, office administration and cleaners, grounds and caretaking staff.
Specialist support
In addition to all the usual services you would expect such as first-class advice and support, NEU commits considerable resources to supporting our members in the independent sector.
NEU is the only trade union to offer all of the following:
- staff solely dedicated to the independent sector
- your local NEU branch, which can help you with any questions or issues that you have.
- an elected member advisory group which advises NEU's Executive Committee
- a termly newsletter on independent sector issues
- the annual Independent Schools Conference, with keynote speakers and seminars, and the opportunity to meet other colleagues in the sector, as well as NEU's annual pay and conditions survey of the sector
- dedicated publications such as NEU's guide Working in the Independent Sector and our Work-life Balance Toolkit for Teachers in Independent Schools
- tailored sector specific training courses
- campaigns, such as NEU's campaign against the culture of working excessive hours in the independent sector.
Independent sector advice and guidance
Advice
Advice 
Non pensionable allowances
Pensions advice note on non-pensionable allowances in the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme.
Press release 
Teachers at Colfe’s independent school to strike tomorrow
Teachers at Colfe’s School, Greenwich, have voted for strike action on Wednesday 4 March over proposals by their employer to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), the pension provider to the vast majority of teachers in England and Wales.
Protecting independent school teachers’ pensions
The NEU remains committed to protecting independent school teachers' membership of the TPS. We will support members in opposing any proposal to remove teachers’ membership of the TPS.
Blog 
Staff retain TPS in South London School
Staff at a South London School persuade governors to commit to Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)
Press release
NEU independent sector survey
NEU survey shows staff working in independent schools have increased workload, low pay and damage to pensions.
National Councils – independent sector
Under the rules of the new union, new elected member groups have been set up to help organise and promote the interest of members working in specific Sections or specific interest groups.
Collective bargaining in the independent sector
How to negotiate on pay and other forms of remuneration in the independent sector, with some relevance to Further Education workplaces or academies where there is collective bargaining.
Christ’s Hospital School recognition
Kevin Hannavy, joint NEU rep, reports on the recent successful recognition campaign at Christ’s Hospital School, Sussex