Detailed proposals for a new 450,000-member education ‘super union’ - combining both the NUT and the ATL - have been revealed ahead of special conferences being held next month. 

The two unions will host separate events on 5 November to debate plans about how the new teaching union would operate. 

Members will decide next month whether to put the idea to a ballot of members in the spring. 

Here are five key proposals set out in the NUT’s agenda for their conference in London: 

1. The new organisation will be called the ‘National Education Union’ 

During the teaching union annual conferences this Easter, there was a great deal of speculation about what a new union would be called. 

The NUT’s agenda has revealed that the name of the amalgamated union will be the ‘National Education Union’.

If it goes ahead, it would become the largest teaching union with approximately 450,000 members. 

2. The rules of the new union will come into effect by 2019

Union members would be balloted in spring 2017 if delegates at both the special conferences next month agree to move forward with the plans. 

If approved by members, the documents for the amalgamation will be registered. A new executive will be installed and the national rules of the new union will come into effect by 1 January 2019.

3. Lecturers, headteachers and support staff can become members

Teachers, support staff, headteachers and lecturers will be able to sign up for standard membership. 

In addition, supply teachers, self-employed teachers and self-employed lecturers who have worked within the last six months can apply for membership. 

Associate membership - for those who have left education but are not yet in receipt of their occupational pensions - and student membership will also be available. 

One seat on the Executive - which is made up of officers of the union and 70 other members - will be allocated each for support staff, members in independent schools and post-16 establishments. 

4. The new union will be led by two joint general secretaries until summer 2023

If the unions are officially amalgamated, general secretaries of the ATL and NUT will serve as joint leaders of the new union. 

But an election for both joint general secretary positions will take place with successful candidates being elected into office from August 2018. 

By August 2023, a new general secretary of the new union will be in place following an election. 

5. There will be two separate sections for the unions at the start 

When the unions join together, there will initially be an ATL section and a NUT section. 

Members of each union prior to the date will still pay contributions towards their previous union. 

These sections will cease to exist from 1 September 2023 

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