Questions worth asking.

Teaching Union Match was created by the team at Edapt. Edapt is an independent education-support organisation for school and college staff in England and Wales, and it's one of the options listed on this site, alongside the major teaching unions.

We've kept that clearly stated rather than buried in small print because we think you should know who's behind any comparison tool you use.

It's a fair question and one we take seriously. A few things to know:

Every organisation including Edapt is rated using the same value framework, the same scoring engine and the same questions. If your answers don't favour an organisation, it won't appear near the top — even if that organisation is Edapt.

Edapt's ratings reflect what it does and doesn't offer. It rates lower on collective strength (it can't call strikes or do collective bargaining) and on campaigning. Users whose answers lean toward those things will see Edapt lower in their results.

No affiliate links. We earn nothing if you join any organisation. We don't track who joins what.

The site exists because we believe a clear comparison helps school staff make better decisions — even when those decisions go elsewhere.

Every organisation has a rating on seven values — collective strength, campaigning, individual protection, CPD, affordability, leadership focus, apolitical focus — which you can read about on the How it works page. The ranking is purely the product of your priorities and their values. If your answers don't favour an organisation, it won't appear near the top — regardless of who they are. However, we will only exclude answers from your list based on eligibility.

We did, based on public information — each organisation's own website, membership data, published positions, and so on. Each description goes through the same editorial process so we describe organisations consistently. Organisations can request changes through our feedback form, but we keep editorial control so descriptions stay objective and comparable in tone.

No. There are no affiliate links on this site. We don't know if you joined anything. We don't want to know.

Email info@edapt.org.uk. We review every message and publicly correct factual errors.

Not in a way that identifies you. We don't ask for your name, email address or phone number. Your answers are saved to your browser so you can close the tab and come back. With your consent, we also collect anonymous, aggregated analytics — which questions get answered and which options get clicked — so we can spot bugs and improve the tool. It's never linked to you, and we don't sell or share it. You can decline and the tool works exactly the same.

No. Nothing about your individual use of the site is shared with anyone — your employer, your current union, or any other organisation.

About two minutes. There are around twelve questions that won't take very long to answer. It is best to go with your gut feel for each one and then see what you end up with. You can stop and resume later on the same device if you want to but we don't think it will take that long!

Yes. Use the "Back" arrow on any question to revisit an earlier one, or the "Start over" option on the results page to begin from scratch.

Because union availability varies across the UK. Some unions operate in only one or two nations; some (like EIS in Scotland or UCAC in Wales) are nation-specific. We filter out anything you can't join, so every result is realistic.

We list every union or alternative professional support organisation we know of that's open to UK school staff. If we've missed one, please tell us — we review the list regularly.

We treat costs as indicative. We have tried to match these up to the available data but it can be a bit complex trying to sift through different pricing structures. Fees change yearly, are sometimes banded by earnings, and many unions add local branch subs on top. On top of that some unions charge by calendar year whereas others go by academic year. Not helpful! We have tried to illustrate them in a way that is useful. However, always verify the current price directly on the organisation's own joining page before committing. We link straight to it from each result card.

In theory yes, though most people don't. Typically most teachers will pick one organisation to be a part of as many of the services and offerings are duplicated. If you are a trainee teacher, you may want to join multiple organisations whilst they are free to get a better feel for each one beyond our quiz.

Email info@edapt.org.uk. We welcome requests to update descriptions, correct errors, or suggest missing organisations.

Yes, absolutely. The tool is designed to be used in staff induction, CPD sessions or for sharing with staff to help them understand their options. It may act as a useful tool for schools to refer to when they inform new employees about their right to join a trade union. It's objective and private, and doesn't push anyone toward a particular organisation. Feel free to link to it.

Yes. That's the commitment.

The term used in England for a teacher in their first two years after gaining QTS. Replaced "NQT" in September 2021 alongside a longer, structured Early Career Framework induction. ECTs typically get reduced timetables and a mentor.

The previous term for a teacher in their first year after qualification. Still used in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England it was replaced by "ECT" in 2021.

The training course or programme that leads to qualifying as a teacher. ITT routes include PGCEs, undergraduate teaching degrees (BEd, BA QTS), school-based routes like School Direct and Teach First, and apprenticeships.

A one-year postgraduate qualification that usually leads to QTS. The most common route into teaching for graduates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The formal qualification needed to teach in maintained schools in England. Different routes lead to QTS but they all involve assessed practice in schools.

A member of school support staff who works alongside teachers in the classroom, supporting learning. Roles vary widely — from general classroom support to one-to-one work with pupils with special educational needs.

A more senior TA role that can include taking whole classes, planning learning activities, and assessing pupil progress. Requires HLTA status.

The teacher in a school responsible for coordinating provision for pupils with special educational needs. A statutory role in mainstream schools in England.

The headteacher, deputy heads, assistant heads and other senior leaders in a school. Sometimes called SMT (Senior Management Team) in older terminology.

A charitable trust that runs two or more academy schools. Most state schools in England are now in MATs of varying size.

The pay band for classroom teachers in England and Wales, with six points (M1–M6). Most teachers progress up the scale each year subject to satisfactory performance.

The pay band teachers can apply to move onto after reaching the top of the Main Pay Scale, by passing through "threshold". Has three points (U1–U3).

An additional payment for teachers who take on extra responsibility beyond classroom teaching — e.g. heads of department, year leaders, curriculum leads. Tiered as TLR1, TLR2 and TLR3.

The annual document setting pay scales and conditions for teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales. Academies aren't bound by it but most follow it closely.

The body that negotiates pay and conditions for teachers in Scotland. Includes employer representatives, the Scottish Government, and the recognised teaching unions (EIS, NASUWT and SSTA).

A way of expressing part-time working as a fraction of full-time. 0.6 FTE means working three days a week (or 60% of full-time hours). Used to pro-rata pay and, often, union membership fees.

An organisation of workers formed to protect and advance their pay, conditions and rights. Trade unions can negotiate collectively with employers, ballot for industrial action, and represent members in employment disputes.

An organisation that represents members of a particular profession. Some professional associations are also recognised trade unions (e.g. NAHT, ASCL); others focus more on standards and CPD without industrial functions.

The federation of UK trade unions. Most major teaching unions (NEU, NASUWT, NAHT, UNISON, GMB, Unite, Community) are TUC affiliates. ASCL and Edapt are not.

The Scottish equivalent of the TUC. EIS is a founding affiliate.

The process where a trade union negotiates with employers on behalf of all the workers it represents — usually on pay, hours and conditions — rather than each worker negotiating individually.

Action taken by union members to put pressure on an employer in a dispute — most commonly strike action (refusing to work) but also working to rule, refusing overtime, etc. Has to be balloted for, with legal thresholds for turnout and majority.

A formal vote of union members on a question — usually whether to take industrial action. Postal or electronic; bound by strict rules under UK trade union law.

An organised demonstration outside a workplace during a strike, where striking workers gather to publicise their action. Picket lines have legal restrictions on size and conduct.

One-to-one support for individual members in difficulty at work — disciplinary, capability, grievance, redundancy, allegations and so on. Provided by union reps, regional officers, or in some organisations (like Edapt) professional caseworkers.

A separate fund operated by some trade unions for political campaigning and (in some cases) party-political activities. Members can usually choose to "opt out" of contributing. Not the same thing as paying a normal subscription.

Some trade unions (e.g. Unite, GMB, UNISON, Community) are formally affiliated to the Labour Party — they pay an affiliation fee and have voting rights at Labour Party conferences. Teaching-specific unions (NEU, NASUWT, EIS) generally are not affiliated to any party but may run political campaigning through a non-affiliated political fund.

Used on this site to describe an organisation that does not run a political fund or campaign politically. Edapt is the clearest example among the options listed.