National Education Union

National Education Union: union representation in the education sector

The National Education Union (NEU) is a trade union organisation that brings together teachers and support staff in schools and universities. Its main area of operation covers England and Wales, with its own structures in Wales (NEU Cymru) and Northern Ireland (NEU Northern Ireland). Its head office is at Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London.

Membership and represented groups

The organisation accepts different member profiles, including students and trainee teachers, newly qualified teachers, leadership teams, supply staff, early years educators, support staff, professionals in the independent sector, sixth form colleges and further education. It also covers specific roles such as Soulbury officers, unaffiliated teachers and teachers in residential establishments.

The student membership fee is £1 in the first year after qualifying, according to published information. The website offers a process to upgrade student membership.

Employment advice and teachers' rights

The NEU provides guidance on employment rights in education. Topics covered include pay and pay scales for teachers, support staff and leadership teams in England and Wales, as well as TLR payments and other allowances, including special educational needs allowances (SEN/ALN).

Advice also covers pensions, workload and working hours, contracts, family rights, school inspection, performance management, discrimination and harassment, data protection, professional conduct, academies, whistleblowing and trade union recognition. On health and safety, it addresses allergies in schools, harassment, violence, infectious diseases, climate change, workplace conditions and mental health and wellbeing.

In the classroom, the organisation offers resources on child poverty, behaviour, observations, SEND, safeguarding, class size, dress code, artificial intelligence, relationships, sex and health education, personal care of pupils and the employment of Overseas Trained Teachers (OTT).

Equality and member groups

The NEU carries out work on sex and gender equality, race equality, disability equality and LGBT+ equality. It also organises specific member groups and networks such as the councillor network, the school governors' network and the climate network.

Campaigns and union action

Its campaigns include those dedicated to education funding, with the Save education initiative, and opposition to Ofsted, which includes a risk assessment guide and a call for new leadership at the inspectorate. The organisation also conducts surveys among its members and publishes press releases on Ofsted complaints procedures and on CEO pay in Multi-Academy Trusts.

The website indicated that the NEU had agreed to pause the ballot scheduled for 3 October. Likewise, the September-October 2026 issue of Educate magazine reported that the ballot on funding and pay would open on 3 October, by email rather than post due to legal changes, and would close on 15 December, with teachers in maintained schools in England called to vote in favour.

Training, publications and international activity

The NEU organises training for reps and officers, as well as national continuing professional development (CPD). It publishes resources such as model policies, checklists and model letters, as well as union journals: Educate, Educate in Wales, Educate NI and Lead. magazine. The summer 2026 issue of Lead. magazine introduced Debra Beale as the union's new president and covered the Ofsted investigation, air quality in classrooms and the use of artificial intelligence.

Internationally, the organisation maintains delegations and links with Colombia, Cuba and Palestine, as well as international affiliations and international solidarity officers.

Structure and governance

The NEU has an organisational structure that includes an annual conference, rules and procedures, a political fund, a trust fund and financial statements. It has a network of workplace reps, with specific roles for health and safety and for learning, and offers resources for those who wish to take on that role.

Location and contact

Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD · Phone: 0345 811 8111