National Education Union

27/09/2026

NEU news of the week 📰

Here’s our pick of the latest education news and stories that matter to our members:

"NEU survey of 1,500 members finds that a quarter said recent inspection experience had made them want to leave teaching"

👉 Read the full article here:

NEU survey of 1,500 members finds that a quarter said recent inspection experience had made them want to leave teaching

26/09/2026

Starting a teacher training course this autumn?

Here are 5️⃣ things you need to know before your first placement.

Learn more👉 bit.ly/4wcpPPk

26/09/2026

The NEU is deeply dismayed by the UK Government's decision to reduce its pledge to the Global Partnership for Education by a devastating 77%.

This announcement confirms that education will face some of the steepest cuts as the UK's slashes development funding, threatening the education of millions of children in low-income and fragile communities.

We hear directly from our sister unions across the world about the transformative impact that GPE funding has for strengthening public education.

At a time when education systems are facing mounting pressures from conflict, climate change and declining aid budgets, this decision risks rolling back hard-earned progress on the right to education, and accelerating a wider retreat from commitments to education.

We urge the Government to reconsider and recommit to global education.
Read our full statement below.

The NEU is deeply dismayed by the UK Government's announcement of a drastic cut to its commitment to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the world's global fund dedicated to transforming education in lower-income and fragile countries.On 23 September 2026, Minister for Development Kirsty McN...

25/09/2026

Our national ballot for strike action was paused this week, after our government promised to plug the funding gap in this years' pay award for teachers.

The shift from an unfunded, to a partially funded pay offer, to one that’s now fully funded at a national level, was brought about by the dedication and determination of our members.

This is the largest show so far that this government is willing to put its money where it's mouth is to make a difference.

Read more here. 👇

A formal ballot of NEU teacher members in state schools in England on strike action was due to launch on October 3 and close on December 15

24/09/2026

🚨 NEU Northern Condemns Sunderland Council's Decision to Withdraw Funding from Show Racism the Red Card 🚨

The NEU Northern Region is deeply disappointed by Sunderland City Council's decision to withdraw funding from Show Racism the Red Card, a North East-founded charity that has spent 30 years helping young people challenge racism, prejudice and discrimination.

At a time when schools and communities need stronger commitments to equality, inclusion and anti-racist education, this decision sends entirely the wrong message. For three decades, Show Racism the Red Card has reached more than 1.5 million young people through programmes that challenge stereotypes, promote understanding and help create more inclusive communities.

Regional Secretary, Beth Farhat, said:

"Show Racism the Red Card has an outstanding track record of educating young people, challenging racism and promoting community cohesion. Its work changes lives, challenges prejudice and helps create safer, more inclusive communities for everyone. The NEU remains fully committed to anti-racist education and will continue to stand alongside Show Racism the Red Card, schools, educators and communities in promoting equality and tackling racism wherever it occurs."

❤️ We are also proud to support Wear Red Day 2026 on Friday 16 October. Together we can send a powerful message that racism has no place in our schools, workplaces or communities.

The campaign's message says it all:

"Change Hearts. Change Minds. Change Lives."

Show Racism the Red Card

23/09/2026

🔊 Mental health & wellbeing webinar series.

Explore practical approaches to mental health and wellbeing with our free expert-led webinar series.

🍂 Covering a range of topics, there’s something for everyone this autumn.

Starts 9 September.

✍️ Sign up today.👉 bit.ly/4qxO8WQ

👀 Can’t join live? Sign up to receive a recording within 14 days.

23/09/2026

One year on from Ofsted’s new inspection framework, our research shows that the promised reforms have failed to address the fundamental problems facing schools.

We surveyed nearly 2,000 NEU members, analysed more than 1,300 inspection reports and spoke directly to school leaders.

The message is clear:

📈 Workload has increased
• 85% of those inspected reported increased workload.
• 92% of those awaiting inspection reported increased workload.
• School leaders and primary staff reported the greatest burden.

💔 Wellbeing is suffering
• 87% reported negative impacts from exhaustion. • 86% reported increased stress levels.
• Staff in primary and more disadvantaged schools reported the worst effects.

🚪 The profession is being driven out
• One in four teachers said inspection made them want to leave the profession.
• For school leaders, that rises to more than one in three.

⚠️ The system remains flawed
• 68% said the new framework has not led to a richer evaluation of schools.
• Excessive workload, inconsistent inspections and a lack of confidence in the complaints process remain major concerns.

The government and Ofsted must act now to provide immediate relief by:
✅ Ending the use of national averages as the primary basis for judging schools on achievement, attendance and behaviour.
✅ Returning to a best-fit grading approach.
✅ Working with education unions to tackle unsustainable workload pressures.
✅ Providing meaningful wellbeing support for head teachers.
✅ Commissioning an independent review of inspector training and consistency.
✅ Creating a fully independent complaints body for Ofsted inspections.

But these measures alone are not enough.
The evidence shows that school inspection continues to damage wellbeing, increase workload and drive experienced staff out of education. We need a fundamentally different approach.

The NEU believes Ofsted should be abolished and replaced with a supportive, independent inspectorate that works with schools rather than against them; one that helps drive improvement through collaboration, trust and professional dialogue, not fear, high-stakes judgements and punitive accountability.

Our schools, educators and pupils deserve better.

Ofsted inspections causing ‘harm’ and 'making teachers want to quit' | LBC https://share.google/eYdwZ3f2W6MnpmWtO

23/09/2026

One year on from Ofsted’s supposed reforms, their inspection framework is still harming school staff.

Our survey of nearly 2,000 NEU members reveals the devastating impact of Ofsted inspections on workload, wellbeing and teacher retention.

We demand change.

Read our report and recommendations 👉 https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/circle-stress-and-fear-neu-reports-first-year-ofsteds-new-framework?_locale=en

21/09/2026

20/09/2026

NEU article of the week 📰

Here’s our pick of the latest education news and stories this week:
“Schools in England get extra £500m in bid to avoid teachers' pay strike"

👉 Read the full article here:

The offer of extra money by the government reduces the prospect of strike action by the largest teaching union.