Schools

Who we represent

With over 250,000 school support staff members, UNISON is the largest union negotiating pay and terms and conditions for support staff in schools. Teaching unions like the NEU cannot negotiate national pay for support staff.

Support staff are the backbone of our schools. You keep them running and make a difference to pupils’ lives every single day. But underfunding, staff shortages and increasing pressures are making your vital work harder than ever.

Join UNISON, get involved and stand with your colleagues, so you can help build a future where school support staff are valued, respected and properly rewarded.

The issues

UNISON understands the issues you face, actively campaigning to improve the pay professional status and recognition of school support staff and providing training and briefings on a range of professional topics and skills. We are working together to build a stronger voice for school support staff in every school and increase our union’s strength to make sure we have the power to win real improvements. 

Learn more and get involved in some of the key issues affecting people employed in schools: Schools - Fund Our Future SSSNB - A New Deal for School Support Staff in England NJC - Council and school worker pay Violence in schools Delivering health care to school pupils with medical conditions School buildings safety Academy Schools SEND.

Member learning

Did you know as a UNISON member you can take advantage of hundreds of free training courses?

Schools and early years members can apply for a free UNISON Staff Skills academy+ licence, gaining access to over 750 fully CPD and ROSPA certified courses. 

Apply for your licence, at Staff Skills Academy

Check out all the courses you could take part in for free as a UNISON member: Member learning

Look out for upcoming member learning webinars and courses on the learning events page.