Logo of the Wirral National Education Union featuring blue and teal geometric shapes surrounding the text.

Our purpose is to support NEU members in their role as educators.

We aim to provide links, resources, training, information and support to Wirral NEU members in the ongoing campaign to improve educational provision for staff and pupils alike. This site aims to provide up-to-date information for members on local, regional, national and international issues and campaigns.

Your Local Officers

Nichola Murphy– Wirral NEU President
A woman stands smiling in front of a bright pink backdrop that reads 'ACTIVIST ZONE' with yellow umbrellas and silhouettes of animals on the ground. She holds a cutout umbrella and wears a polka dot dress, while a name badge hangs from her neck.

My Name Is Nichola Murphy and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be Wirral NEUs President this year. I am a mum of two and a grandparent who loves being busy with work, family and socially. I dedicate time to myself to be a committee member, keen netballer and Commodore of Liverpool Yacht Club. 

Since becoming an active union member and school rep, I have had the opportunity to go to annual conferences, attend many CPD sessions, become involved in the international solidarity work of the union (went on the life changing Cuba delegation in October 2025) and much more. I have made so many friends and shared teaching tales with other likeminded colleagues locally and nationally, who share our vision of a better education system for all. 

Having over two decades of teaching experience in both mainstream primary and SEMH, I have led a number of subjects and roles. Using PE, movement and the outdoors as a behaviour management approach as well as a tool to promote positive wellbeing is where my passion lies most. As a youth and adult mental health first aider and as a suicide first aid tutor, I believe that a pedagogy of kindness and love is needed for all children and adults to thrive in education. 

As phonics and reading lead I was able to show that when children have a positive experience of language, the world becomes a more accessible place that engages people and opens up opportunities. 

As president, I hope to share my passion and enthusiasm for the teaching profession and build networks of people who can support one another to ensure that schools are safe, happy places for all who encounter them.

Michael Farrelly – Wirral District Secretary; Wirral State Education Branch Secretary 
A selfie taken at a protest with a large crowd in the background holding various signs, including one for Wirral National Education Union and one that says 'PAY UP'.

Michael Farrelly is the Wirral District Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), representing and supporting education staff across Wirral’s schools, academies, colleges, and other education settings. He provides leadership for the district, coordinates union activity, and ensures that members receive strong, collective support when facing workplace pressures and challenges.


Michael has extensive experience in casework and representation, supporting members through disciplinary and capability procedures, grievances, workload disputes, restructures, sickness absence issues, and disputes with employers. He works closely with workplace representatives and NEU officers to ensure cases are handled rigorously, fairly, and in line with national union policy, while always prioritising member wellbeing and collective solutions over individual blame.
He is particularly outspoken on the impact of Ofsted on education staff and school communities. Michael regularly challenges the culture of fear, excessive workload, and punitive accountability associated with the inspection system. He supports members and school groups through Ofsted inspections and inspection‑related fallout, advising on staff rights, managing unreasonable expectations, and resisting inappropriate management actions driven by inspection pressure. This includes challenging excessive monitoring, unreasonable lesson observations, and the misuse of Ofsted outcomes to justify capability or disciplinary procedures.

Michael is a strong advocate for a fundamental overhaul of the inspection system, consistently arguing that Ofsted’s current framework damages staff wellbeing, distorts educational priorities, and undermines trust and collaboration in schools. He actively promotes collective, union‑led responses to inspection stress and works to ensure that members are not isolated or scapegoated in the aftermath of inspections. His approach reflects the NEU’s wider campaigning position on inspection reform, accountability, and staff welfare.

Alongside this work, Michael is committed to building strong workplace organisation across Wirral. He supports, trains, and mentors school representatives, encourages active member engagement, and prioritises sustainable organisation based on confidence, collective action, and shared leadership. He believes that well‑organised schools are better able to resist unreasonable demands and protect staff from harmful practices.
As District Secretary, Michael also plays a key role in local campaigning, consultation, and negotiation. He works with the local authority, academy trusts, and other employers to defend terms and conditions, challenge excessive workload, and promote health, safety, and wellbeing at work. He supports NEU campaigns on pay, funding, equality, and workload reduction, ensuring that national priorities are rooted in the lived experience of Wirral educators
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Michael’s work is grounded in the NEU’s core values of solidarity, equality, and social justice. He believes that strong, collective trade union organisation is essential not only to protect education staff, but to create a humane, inclusive education system that genuinely serves children, families, and communities.
Through his leadership in Wirral, Michael Farrelly continues to be a clear, consistent, and outspoken voice for educators—challenging harmful accountability cultures, standing up to inspection‑driven pressure, and ensuring that members are supported, represented, and heard. 

District Secretary responsibilities: 

  • Supporting Branch secretaries in their work to negotiate/consult/represent members. 
  • Promote the work of the NEU through political engagement and organising work with members. 
  • Ensure the democratic processes of the Union are followed and encourage wider engagement with the Union decision making process. 
  • Identify local issues that require Union attention and organise campaigns as appropriate. 

Branch Secretary responsibilities:  

  • Negotiating and consulting with the Local Authority/Academies/Trusts within Wirral on matters relating to pay and conditions of service (including policies).  
  • Representing members at meetings relating to disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, capability and whistleblowing. 
  • Recruiting and supporting workplace representatives and local officers of the Union 
  • Recruiting members 
  • Providing advice on employment issues     
Terry Dobbins- Wirral District /Branch Assistant Secretary and Treasurer                                               

My name is Terry Dobbins and I have been active in union duties since 2020, becoming rep at my school during the pandemic and becoming involved in the Wirral NEU Committee and Branch team in 2023.

I have been a primary teacher since 2015 and

I believe in campaigning to balance work/life commitments for teachers and all school staff, fighting for fair pay and funding and in promoting the benefits of union membership to all.

serve as the Wirral NEU Treasurer by taking responsibility for the financial health and transparency of our organisation, making sure every decision is grounded in accuracy, accountability and the best interests of our members. I manage our budgets, maintain clear financial records, and provide the information our leadership and activists need to plan campaigns, support members and strengthen our long‑term stability. My role is about more than numbers — it’s about protecting our collective resources so we can organise confidently, act strategically and keep our union strong for the future.



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Ferdushi Mohshin- Wirral Branch Assistant Secretary
A smiling woman wearing a blue vest stands in front of a large bus, with passengers boarding in the background.

Wayne Blessing- Wirral Branch Assistant Secretary

Hello all, I am Wayne Blessing, our Assistant Branch Secretary as well as being the District Health & Safety rep. My “day” job is as Head of Mathematics at Clare Mount Special School – the largest SEND secondary school in England where I have worked for the last 11 years.

I became a school union rep nearly 30 years ago in the usual manner, by default. As soon as I showed interest in the activities of the NUT as it was then, the previous post- holder happily stepped down. I have relished being involved with the union ever since and relish the opportunities it gives me to help others and support positive outcomes.

I have always wanted to advocate for others: students, colleagues, friends, family, even people I don’t know.

Fairness, justice and a desire to see the right outcome are what drive me forward as a union branch rep, as a middle leader, as a teacher, as a parent, as a colleague and as a citizen of our planet.

I enjoy a challenge and being a teacher, a Head of mathematics and the Assistant Branch Secretary of Wirral NEU; all these roles bring plenty of those!

My vast experience in education, maturity of years (hence the grey hair!) and my attention to detail serve me well in facilitating the needs of others and I look forward to continuing to do so for as long as I remain in good health and I am fortunate enough to be elected.

  1. Supporting Union Leadership:
    • Assist the NEU Secretary and other senior officers in their duties.
    • Help in the administration and coordination of union activities and initiatives.
  2. Membership Services:
    • Provide support and advice to union members on issues related to employment, workplace conditions, and union policies.
    • Assist members with grievances, disputes, and negotiations with employers.
  3. Organizing and Campaigning:
    • Organize campaigns, meetings, and events to promote union objectives and raise awareness of key issues.
    • Mobilize members to participate in union activities and campaigns.
    • Work on recruitment drives to increase union membership.
  4. Communication:
    • Act as a liaison between the union leadership and members, ensuring effective communication.
    • Disseminate information to members through newsletters, emails, social media, and other channels.
    • Prepare reports, briefings, and presentations as required.
  5. Representation:
    • Represent the union and its members in meetings with employers, educational authorities, and other stakeholders.
    • Advocate for members’ rights and interests in various forums.
  6. Training and Development:
    • Organize and deliver training sessions and workshops for union members on topics such as workplace rights, negotiation skills, and union policies.
    • Stay informed about current issues in education and labor relations to provide up-to-date advice and support.
  7. Administrative Duties:
    • Maintain accurate records of union activities, member details, and correspondence.
    • Assist with the preparation of agendas, minutes, and other documentation for meetings.
    • Handle general office duties to ensure the smooth running of the union branch or district office.
  8. Policy Implementation:
    • Help implement union policies and strategies at the local level.
    • Monitor and report on the effectiveness of these policies and suggest improvements.
  9. Dispute Resolution:
    • Support members in resolving workplace conflicts and disputes.
    • Work with legal advisors and other professionals to provide comprehensive support to members facing legal or disciplinary action

Your Local Committee

Your above local officers are supported by a vibrant local committee. If you are interested in joining, please get in touch.

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