Independent sector teachers on strike

Independent sector

We represent more teachers and support staff working in independent schools than any other union.

NEU is recognised by more independent sector employers than any other union. 160 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:

Active members

NEU Independent school reps are actively making a difference in their schools and across the sector. NEU members benefit in general by leading role our active reps play in the Rep Networks and WhatsApp Groups in shaping and driving forward on campaigns on pay, pensions, and workload. 

Pay

Teacher with pupils in music room

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.

Woman with grey hair talking in group

Collective bargaining

How to negotiate on pay in the independent sector, with some relevance to further education workplaces or academies where there is collective bargaining. 

Contracts and working hours

Teachers at St. Augustine's Priory, Ealing, 2023

Protecting pensions

We will support members opposing any proposal to remove teachers’ membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS).

Support staff

This advice is designed to help support staff working in independent schools to deal with the increase in the quantity and complexity of work for school support staff that has now reached crisis point.

Pile of documents

Support staff workload

This advice is designed to help support staff working in independent schools to deal with the increase in the quantity and complexity of work for school support staff that has now reached crisis point.

support staff SEND STEM female teacher

Support staff

The NEU represents support staff members across the UK in the maintained, academy, free school, independent, further education, sixth form and university sectors.

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NEU independent sector workplace reps

Join our WhatsApp community to discuss the pay campaign, defending the TPS and support staff issues.

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