Region: NI

Branch Events for ECTs

Every year INTO Branches organise various social events for our ECT members. You are also invited to your local Branch Meetings which take place once per term. These meetings are an opportunity to meet with both newly qualified and more experienced teachers from your local area and are a great way to build up connections and a support network. As well as the social side of the meetings you will be kept up to date with the latest educational issues and what the INTO are doing on your behalf.

Branches submit motions to our Annual Northern Conference which are debated, voted on and subsequently formulate INTO policy for the following year so if you have issues that you would like raised on your behalf get involved with your local Branch and have your say!

For further information on upcoming meetings keep an eye on our website Events Section or contact your Branch Secretary.

ECT Seminars

INTO organise seminars for our Early Career Teacher members which aim to prepare you for that all-important first day of school.

INTO Youth Conference

The INTO Youth Conference is organised specifically for our young teacher members. These events are enjoyed immensely by those attending.

Who can attend?

Teachers under the age of 35

How do I attend?

Keep an eye on our website for published details of the event and make your application early to avoid disappointment. The costs of your attendance are covered by your local Branch.

The Programme

The programme is informal. The emphasis is on young teachers having the opportunity to meet with each other and on enjoyment.

Join Online Now!

WATCH and SHARE our members' video message to you HERE

Congratulations to all Newly Qualified Teachers!

You have joined the profession at an exciting, if challenging time. Rapid change is taking place in many areas.

Before you go out to work, it is of the utmost importance that you belong to a recognised teachers' union and there is none better than INTO.

The INTO wishes you every success and we look forward to supporting you throughout your teaching career.

• Why Join INTO?
• INTO Benefits & Services
• INTO Events for All Members
• INTO Events for ECTs
• Training Courses
• GTC(NI) and NISTR Registration

DON’T FORGET to upgrade your membership from student to full membership by joining online now.

Your FIRST YEAR immediately following graduation is
COMPLETELY FREE (so the earlier you join the better!)

REMEMBER to join online you will need to register with the GTC(NI) as soon as possible to get your Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - this is your unique reference number that will identify you throughout your teaching career.

If you have any issues or have yet to receive your TRN please contact us at: infoni@into.ie

Join Online Now!

HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS

“My name is Declan Colgan and I have been teaching in the primary sector for nine years and during this time I have also been a member of the INTO. When I graduated from St Mary's University Belfast, I didn't really know the importance of being part of a union, however people kept telling me you don't know when you might need them. I therefore took this advice on board and signed up with INTO in 2011 and a few years later down the line there did come a time when I needed to call on the assistance of INTO. INTO played a crucial part in helping me gain employment in a teaching job closer to home and this has had a really positive impact on my life since. Less of a distance to travel to work has given me more energy and enthusiasm in my daily teaching as well as more time made available to spend with my family. After this positive change in employment I felt it was time to give something back and I therefore decided to get more involved in the INTO. I initially started attending my local INTO branch meetings. Immediately I was made feel very welcome and I therefore kept returning to these branch meetings. From going to the local branch meetings, I got to know many other teachers as well as reacquaint with past teaching colleagues and students from University. I became more aware of what was going on in other schools and what right's as teachers we have. Furthermore, by getting involved in the INTO I became aware of a number of conferences and social trips that I was able to attend. My first conference was the Youth Conference of 2019 in the Armagh City Hotel. This was a weekend I thoroughly enjoyed and as result I have now attended other conferences such as the Northern Conference. All my experiences of these INTO Conferences have been positive, thoroughly enjoyable and educational. At each branch meeting and conference, I am overwhelmed with how hospitable INTO is towards its members. I would highly recommend and encourage any university graduate to become an INTO member and I look forward to meeting some of you hopefully in the future.”

Declan Colgan

Those of you coming to an end of your studies will be looking forward to embarking on an exciting and rewarding career.

Don't forget to upgrade your INTO membership as a Newly Qualified Teacher and get your first year of membership following graduation COMPLETELY FREE!

Check out the NQT SECTION of our website for further information.

JOIN NOW

As part of the INTO's support for Student Teachers we have a range of information that we hope you find useful both here and in our Newly Qualified Teachers’ section:

Guide to School-Based Work (PDF)

Student Teachers and Law (PDF)

Student Bulletin 1 - Welcome to the INTO (PDF)

Student Bulletin 2 - Tops Tips for School-Based Work (PDF)

Student Bulletin 3 - Finding Your First Teaching Post (PDF)

Student Recruitment Fairs

Are you starting your teacher training course this September? Come along to the INTO stall at Fresher’s Day and register for FREE student membership of the INTO. Our friendly representatives will be there to meet you and give you your free INTO Student Pack.

Student Recruitment Fairs are scheduled for the following dates:

• University of Ulster at Coleraine - Thursday 5 September 2024
• Queen’s University Belfast - Thursday 5 September 2024
• Stranmillis University College - Wednesday 2 October 2024
• St Mary’s University - Wednesday 2 October 2024

If you are unable to visit us on Fresher’s Day JOIN ONLINE HERE

Student Career Days

Each year the INTO attend your Student Career Days. Come along and talk to our representatives who will be happy to answer any questions you may have relating to your future in teaching:

• Stranmillis University College - TBC
• Queen's University Belfast - TBC
• St Mary's University College - TBC

Student Seminars

INTO run a series of seminars and workshops aimed at our student members:

• INTO Seminar 1: Finding Your First Teaching Post
• INTO Seminar 2: Teachers and the Law
• INTO Seminar 3: Teaching in the Republic of Ireland
• INTO Seminar 4: Managing Challenging Behaviour
• INTO Seminar 5: Interview Techniques / Mock Interviews
• INTO Seminar 6: NQTs – Your First Day at School

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for further details.

Welcome to our student teachers - we invite you to join us!

Watch a joint INTO-NEU-UTU video of young teachers sharing their views on the importance and benefits of union membership:

Join all three unions FOR FREE by completing one Online Student Application Form

(PLEASE NOTE: our student membership is applicable to student teachers studying
and/or undertaking School Placements in Northern Ireland).

Welcome to the INTO

Welcome to the teaching profession and welcome to the INTO. As a student teacher you have embarked upon a career that is both rewarding and challenging. The INTO are here to help you through all stages of your career.

As a student teacher you will be encouraged to join as many teaching unions as possible but at the end of your course you will need to pick just one. Read on to find out why you need to be a member of the INTO:

What is the INTO?

The INTO is the largest teachers’ trade union in Ireland representing over 47000 members. In Northern Ireland INTO represents almost 8000 teacher and student members across all education sectors.

What is a Trade Union?

A trade union is an organised group of workers who collectively use their strength to have a stronger voice in their workplace. One of a trade union’s main aims is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace.

Why do I need a Trade Union?

As a student teacher being a member of the INTO offers you protection and security while you are on teaching practice and gives you access to our extensive advice and support network. We are here to help you if you need it – all in the strictest of confidence.

Why should I join the INTO?

• As a student teacher you can join INTO for FREE;
• As a Newly Qualified Teacher you get your FIRST YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP for FREE;
• After that you ONLY PAY for the DAYS YOU WORK: we won’t charge you when you aren’t working;
• We are a LOCAL UNION based in Belfast offering LOCAL SOLUTIONS to LOCAL PROBLEMS;
• INTO SUPPORTS OUR STUDENT MEMBERS by working closely with your students' union, attending the annual Freshers' Fairs and Careers Days, through sponsorship of your Student Executive and your Clubs and Societies and by hosting student seminars and workshops throughout the year;
• We are not just a TRADE UNION but a PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION too.
• Follow us on TWITTER or FACEBOOK or check out our WEBSITE to see what we get up to on behalf of our members.

St Mary's Ladies GAA Team: Sponsored by INTO

How do I join the INTO?

In less than 2 minutes complete an Online Student Application Form

Hear from one of our student members

“I have friends and family who are teachers and they have told me about the importance of being part of a union. The INTO is the union that I am most familiar with and it’s the one I will be signing up to when I graduate. I’m not fully sure yet why it is important to be in a union, but I know that it is.”

Daniel Coogan, Final year student 2020-21, St Mary’s UCB

Terms and conditions of membership for voluntary deductions from salary and direct debit deductions:

Membership Terms and Conditions: Voluntary Deductions from Salary (PDF)

Membership Terms and Conditions: Direct Debit Deductions (PDF)

Membership Terms and Conditions: Direct Debit Rates WEF September 2024 (PDF)

Creating Experiencing Connecting

2025

The Brendan Harron INTO Art Competition is open to all active members in the North.

An overall winner will be identified by a panel of judges, and if appropriate, a highly commended piece also.

To help with ease of participation there are two simple steps to entering:

1. EMAIL a clear digital image of your submission/s to infoni@into.ie remembering to include your name, TR number and the title of your work.

2. SUBMIT your application form online HERE

Your photographs and form must be with INTO Northern Office by 5pm, Friday, 30th May, 2025

Members may submit up to a maximum of three original paintings, these need not be framed but if chosen as the winning piece will become part of the growing Northern Office art collection.

Members have found the choice of a theme to be helpful when creating or choosing a painting to enter and we hope those listed are as varied and engaging as possible (further suggestions welcome):

• People
• Animals
• Landscape
• Seascape
• Cityscape
• Abstract
• Still Life

While this Art Competition produces a winner each year, we hope members find the opportunity to bring an idea to completion, to share their work with fellow members and support the continued growth of an entirely INTO member produced display of art to be an appealing and inspiring one.

The Brendan Harron INTO Art Competition is as much about creating art works as it is about experiencing art. Through this competition INTO hopes to offer members another way to connect with each other and to a part of their creative lives that may get side-lined in a busy life. Maybe during the coming months work on your entry for this year’s competition could provide a welcome element to work-life balance. We hope as well as INTO enjoying the artistic work of its members, that importantly, you enjoy the benefits that come with creating pieces of art.

If you have not entered before we hope the diversity of past years will encourage you to do so this year!

Benefit Funds Committee:

Who are we?

We are an INTO committee made up of 5 Division Reps plus the General Treasurer and General Secretary. The purpose of the Committee is to give help and advice to INTO members who fall into financial difficulty. The Benefit Funds Committee (BFC) is seen as the Big Friendly Committee.

What do we do?

• Meet members to establish if help can be given or just to give advice
• Meet on a regular basis to discuss cases
• Attend joint CEC/BFC meetings that give authority for the INTO to spend money on legal cases
• Sign off Death Grants and Christmas Grants

How do we work?

Hardship cases and advice:

The BFC member is contacted by member. The BFC member arranges to meet the member to discuss the issue and complete paperwork
The case is then discussed confidentiality within the committee. A consensus is reached after discussion. The outcome may be favourable or unfavourable. On occasions the Rep is asked to go and seek more information so that the Committee can have a clear view of the difficulty and the commitment that the Committee may be taking on. The BFC Rep will usually then contacts the member to pass on the decision. A letter often follows from Head Office to the member.

Death Grant:

The BFC oversees death grants for INTO members and their spouses. A 4,000 Euro is available to help with funeral costs in the event of a member’s death. A 2,000 Euro grant is payable in the event of the death of a member’s spouse. To claim the grant a form is requested from and returned to the BFC Rep for authorisation.

Attendance at meetings:

BFC attend District meetings but only attend Branch at the Branch Request. Division I Rep is also member of NC.

What financial help can be given?

• A small emergency grant (if specific conditions are met).
• One off grant to help resolve a situation
• Long term grants on occasions that are reviewed regularly
• A grant that will be paid back when maybe a lump sum comes through (Ill health)

Is there a stereotypical member who needs help?

Each case is individual, and it is important to stress that but in a broad way there could be 2 stereotypes:

• Members who fall into ill health and financial difficulties follow
• Members who get into debt by a partner who leaves a financial mess before a breakup

Specific Examples

A teacher who had to leave home because the home couldn’t be heated. A grant for oil was given.
A teacher who had retired due to mental health issues and was officially homeless was given a small grant to cover something that needed paid for. A grant was given to a member who was about to lose the house due to a marital breakup. The member’s partner was refusing to co-operate to resolve financial difficulties. A recurring grant was given to a teacher for a limited period while the teacher got their finances sorted after a breakup with childcare the main issue. A terminally ill member was given a grant to make up shortfall in salary for a couple of
months.

How can INTO members help?

• Ask the Branch Secretary to action a death grant if they hear a member has died.
• Get members in need to give me a ring to discuss the issue. If they don’t ask, they won’t get and the worst thing that can happen is that the BFC will say no. The result won’t be passed onto the NC Rep by the BFC though the member may share it with the NC Rep.

Your BFC Representative is Paddy McAllister
Email: pmcallister@into.ie