NEU Leadership

Schools and colleges need to be effectively led by leaders and managers who are well supported and developed to meet and succeed in an immensely challenging education environment.

NEU is the second largest union for leaders and managers across the entire education sector. School leaders and college managers are vital to the NEU as they are in a strong position to influence and implement policy. The union sees the great value of supporting and helping to develop ethical leaders who lead and shape the future of education.

The NEU understands the complex and professionally demanding work done by school leaders and college managers. We offer advice that will assist leaders in finding their way through these challenges.   We support leaders to stand together with other educational professionals to inform NEU policy that benefits teaching and learning and the education system.

Find out more about issues affecting school leaders and managers.

School and college opening in January

At the Leadership Emergency Meeting held on the 3 January, Joint General Secretary’s Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney explained the NEU’s position and what support the union can give leader members in this difficult and challenging time.  Watch the recording here.

The challenges posed by spiralling infection rates mean that it cannot be safe for any school or college to open fully at present, while urgent reviews of risk assessments are needed before anyone returns to the workplace even for limited opening. 

Please be assured that the National Education Union (NEU) will make every effort to support its leadership members as you continue to make such incredible efforts to maintain students' education in the face of this crisis.

Get involved

  • Event Leadership abstract
    NEU Leadership Conference

    The first virtual NEU Leadership Conference will be held via Zoom on Saturday, 30 January 2021 from 10.00am to 12.30pm.

  • Leadership abstract
    NEU Leadership on Guild

    Join the NEU's Leadership member community to offer and seek support, share best practice and shape the future of education.

  • Image of school leaders
    Empowering and developing middle leaders

    Heads of department, curriculum leaders, SENCOs and NQT mentors flourish in their roles when they are provided with adequate time, development opportunities and collaborative support.

  • Children putting their hands up in the classroom
    Learning and events

    The National Education Union is committed to bringing you the best professional development and union training.

  • NEU members rally against education cuts
    Campaigns

    Your NEU is a campaigning union with a clear vision of what our education system should look like.

NEU Leadership

As part of the NEU Leadership support and advice package you will have access to:

  • NEU Leadership Guild, the exclusive professional messaging app for our leadership members to allow networking and peer support;
  • Annual Leadership Conference, to share effective leadership models, policies, research and collaborative action for change in education;
  • LEAD, the magazine for NEU Leadership members focused on your professional interests and needs;
  • NEU advice and guidance to leadership members in key professional issues including ethical leadership, equality matters and workload;
  • NEU Adviceline for advice on employment rights, and support from our experienced staff including solicitors based in the regions and nations;
  • Leadership CPD that maximises your opportunity to apply knowledge and practice new skills in a changing education environment

Join us

Leadership
Code of Ethical Practice in Leadership

The National Education Union believes ethical leadership should be at the heart of everything we do. Please use this document to help support and inform your leadership style, whether new to management and leadership or experienced. 

Download PDF

Advice for leaders