A transformative advocate for education, bridging the gap between educators and policy.

Niamh Sweeney is an educator, thought leader, activist and advocate of all things education.

With over 25 years of experience in youth work and teaching in schools and colleges. She is passionate about unlocking the potential of young people and believes in the transformative power of education.

As the elected Deputy General Secretary of the National Education Union, Niamh champions the profession to organise, fight and campaign for better working conditions, and inclusive policies that empower educators and students alike.

Meet Niamh

“We should be in no doubt - our opponents do not want education to be equal or equitable. If we don’t take action, make change happen, we know education becomes less transformative. ”

Experience

22

Years

Teaching

20

Years as a Workplace Rep

26

Years

trade union member

10

Years as a National Executive member

200

Members

Branch Secretary of the largest single

workplace branch in the union

1st

Elected Deputy General Secretary

Latest News

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06:14

We want to solve the crisis in education

Niamh Sweeney, NEU DGS, on LBC News. Education is already disrupted by underfunding and the teacher recruitment crisis. This dispute is about protecting education and saving our schools for the future.

47:39

Education union leader joins Iain Dale to take your calls | Watch again

Education union leader Niamh Sweeney joins Iain Dale to take your calls. LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs. We let you join the conversation and hold politicians to account. Subscribe for more: https://l-bc.co/subscribe The latest videos from LBC: https://l-bc.co/Latest Listen live to LBC on Global Player: https://l-bc.co/ListenNow Nick Ferrari’s latest show: https://l-bc.co/3biHVvM James O’Brien’s latest show: https://l-bc.co/3ONyPVI Shelagh Fogarty’s latest show: https://l-bc.co/3JkNEha Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup Like, follow and subscribe to LBC! Website: https://lbc.co.uk Facebook: https://fb.me/lbc Twitter: https://Twitter.com/lbc Instagram: https://instagram.com/lbc This is not your ordinary talk radio stream. LBC is the leading YouTube channel for live debate around the news and current affairs. We have live interviews and debates and you can even phone in to join in the conversation. Watch here.

09:07

Niamh Sweeney speaking at NEU Councillors & Governors Zoom - 15th Feb 2022

00:15

Niamh Sweeney Sky News 200223

Despite Governemnt statements, there has been no offer to end this dispute

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Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you

Winning For Members

Improving Workplace Culture

I’ve always supported members to report and deal with coercive and abusive relationships, working hard to ensure that NEU policies on domestic abuse, menopause and pregnancy and maternity aren’t just pieces of paper, but are part of the culture of the workplace.

Securing Flexible Working

As a workplace rep, I negotiated and won flexible working arrangements for staff home working when not teaching, reduction in whole school meetings and introduced family friendly policies to support staff and teachers with time to be able to take their own children to school and attend events.

Ending Graded Lesson Observations

I successfully campaigned to end graded lesson observations and the need for standardised lesson plans, reducing stress and workload for teachers. As workplace representative, I secured a commitment not to use ‘mock-sted’ type systems, but instead focus on peer observations and collaboration.

Sixth Form Pay Increase

In 2019 I led members in 5 days of strike action, securing a 4.7% increase in student funding for 2020/21 and a pay increase for teaching staff.