School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Part I Measures to raise standards of school education Chapter I Limit on infant class sizes Duty to set limit on infant class sizes. 1 1 The Secretary of State shall by regulations— a impose a limit on class sizes for infant classes at maintained schools; and b specify the school years in relation to which any such limit is to have effect. 2 Any limit imposed under this section shall specify the maximum number of pupils that a class to which the limit applies may contain while an ordinary teaching session is conducted by a single school teacher . 3 Subject to subsections (4) and (5), regulations under this section shall be so framed that— a the maximum number specified in pursuance of subsection (2) is 30, and b that limit has effect in relation to the 2001-02 school year and any subsequent year. 4 Regulations under this section may— a provide for any limit imposed under this section to take effect— i at the same time in the case of each of the age groups into which the pupils in infant classes fall, or ii at different times (which may be earlier than the beginning of the school year mentioned in subsection (3)) in the case of different such age groups; b provide that, in any circumstances specified in the regulations, any such limit either is not to apply or is to operate in such manner as is so specified. 5 The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (3)— a by substituting for “30” such other number as is specified in the order; or b by substituting for the reference to the 2001-02 school year a reference to such other school year as is so specified. 6 Where any limit imposed under this section applies to an infant class at a maintained school, the local authority and the governing body shall exercise their functions with a view to securing that that limit is complied with in relation to that class. Plans by LEAs for reducing infant class sizes. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payment of grant in connection with reductions in infant class sizes. 3 1 Regulations shall make provision for the payment by the Secretary of State of grants to local authorities in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred by them for the purpose of securing that any limit imposed under section 1 is complied with in relation to infant classes at schools maintained by them. 2 Regulations under this section shall provide for the Secretary of State— a to withhold grants under the regulations from a local authority where no proposed arrangements by that authority have been approved by him under section 2; and b when determining whether any grant (and, if so, what amount) should be paid by him under the regulations to a local authority , to have regard to their proposed arrangements as so approved. 3 Regulations under this section may provide— a for the payment of grant under the regulations to be dependent on the fulfilment of such conditions as may be determined by or in accordance with the regulations, and b for requiring local authorities to whom payments have been made under the regulations to comply with such requirements as may be so determined. Interpretation of Chapter I. 4 In this Chapter— “ class ” means a group in which pupils are taught in an ordinary teaching session; “ infant class ” means a class containing pupils the majority of whom will attain the age of five, six or seven during the course of the school year; “ ordinary teaching session ” does not include a school assembly or other school activity usually conducted with large groups of pupils; “ school teacher ” means a person who is a school teacher for the purposes of section 122 of the Education Act 2002 (determination of school teachers’ pay and conditions) Chapter II General responsibilities of local authorities Duty to promote high standards of education Duty of LEAs to promote high standards in primary and secondary education. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Education development plans Preparation of education development plans. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Approval, modification and review of statement of proposals. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intervention by Secretary of State Reserve power of Secretary of State to secure proper performance of local authority 's functions. 8 After section 497 of the Education Act 1996 there shall be inserted— Power to secure proper performance of LEA ’s functions. 497A 1 This section applies to a local education authority’s functions (of whatever nature) which relate to the provision of education— a for persons of compulsory school age (whether at school or otherwise), or b for persons of any age above or below that age who are registered as pupils at schools maintained by the authority. 2 If the Secretary of State is satisfied (either on a complaint by any person interested or otherwise) that a local education authority are failing in any respect to perform any function to which this section applies to an adequate standard (or at all), he may exercise his powers under subsection (3) or (4). 3 The Secretary of State may under this subsection direct an officer of the authority to secure that that function is performed in such a way as to achieve such objectives as are specified in the direction. 4 The Secretary of State may under this subsection give an officer of the authority such directions as the Secretary of State thinks expedient for the purpose of securing that the function— a is performed, on behalf of the authority and at their expense, by such person as is specified in the direction, and b is so performed in such a way as to achieve such objectives as are so specified; and such directions may require that any contract or other arrangement made by the authority with that person contains such terms and conditions as may be so specified. 5 Where the Secretary of State considers it expedient that the person specified in directions under subsection (4) should perform other functions to which this section applies in addition to the function to which subsection (2) applies, the directions under subsection (4) may relate to the performance of those other functions as well; and in considering whether it is expedient that that person should perform any such additional functions, the Secretary of State may have regard to financial considerations. 6 Any direction under this section may either— a have effect for an indefinite period until revoked by the Secretary of State, or b have effect until any objectives specified in the direction have been achieved (as determined in accordance with the direction). 7 Any direction given under subsection (3) or (4) shall be enforceable, on an application made on behalf of the Secretary of State, by an order of mandamus. Power to secure proper performance: further provisions. 497B 1 Where the Secretary of State gives directions under section 497A(4) to an officer of a local education authority, the person specified in those directions shall, in the performance of the function or functions specified in the directions, be entitled to exercise the powers conferred by this section. 2 The specified person shall have at all reasonable times— a a right of entry to the premises of the authority, and b a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records or other documents kept by the authority, and any other documents containing information relating to the authority, which he considers relevant to the performance of the specified function or functions. 3 In exercising the right to inspect records or other documents under subsection (2), the specified person— a shall be entitled at any reasonable time to have access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been in use in connection with the records or other documents in question, and b may require— i the person by whom or on whose behalf the computer is or has been so used, or ii any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, the computer, apparatus or material, to afford him such assistance as he may reasonably require (including, in particular, the making of information available for inspection or copying in a legible form). 4 Without prejudice to subsection (2), the authority shall give the specified person all assistance in connection with the performance of the specified function or functions which they are reasonably able to give. 5 Subsection (2) shall apply in relation to any school maintained by the authority as it applies in relation to the authority; and without prejudice to that subsection (as it so applies)— a the governing body of any such school shall give the specified person all assistance in connection with the exercise of his functions which they are reasonably able to give; and b the governing body of any such school and the authority shall secure that all such assistance is also given by persons who work at the school. 6 Any reference in this section to the specified person includes a reference to any person assisting him in the performance of the specified function or functions. 7 In this section “document” and “records” each include information recorded in any form. Parent governor representatives on education committees Education committees to include representatives of parent governors. 9 At the end of section 499 of the Education Act 1996 (power of Secretary of State to direct appointment of members of education committees) there shall be added— 6 Regulations may require— a any such committee as is mentioned in subsection (1) or (3), and b any sub-committee appointed by any authorities within subsection (1) or (3), or by any committee within paragraph (a) of this subsection, for the purpose mentioned in subsection (5)(b), to include one or more persons elected, in accordance with the regulations, as representatives of parent governors at maintained schools in relation to which the committee or sub-committee acts. 7 Regulations may make provision for— a the number of persons who are to be elected for the purposes of subsection (6) in the case of any local education authority; b the procedure to be followed in connection with the election of such persons and the persons who are entitled to vote at such an election; c the circumstances in which persons are qualified or disqualified for being so elected or for holding office once elected; d the term of office of persons so elected and their voting rights; e the application to any such committee or sub-committee, with or without any modification, of any provision made by or under any other enactment and relating to committees or (as the case may be) sub-committees of a local authority; f such other matters connected with such elections or persons so elected as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. 8 Regulations may also make provision— a enabling the Secretary of State to determine, where he considers it expedient to do so in view of the small number of maintained schools in relation to which a committee or sub-committee acts, that the requirement imposed on the committee or sub-committee by virtue of subsection (6) is to have effect as if it referred to representatives of parents of registered pupils (rather than representatives of parent governors) at those schools; b for any regulations under subsection (7) to have effect, where the Secretary of State makes any such determination, with such modifications as may be prescribed. 9 In subsections (6) and (8) “ maintained school ” and “ parent governor ” have the same meaning as in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Chapter III Education action zones Establishment of education action zones. 10 1 If the Secretary of State considers that it is expedient to do so with a view to improving standards in the provision of education at any particular eligible schools , he may by order provide for those schools to constitute collectively an education action zone for the purposes of this Chapter. 1A For the purposes of subsection (1) “ eligible school ” means— a a maintained school; b a nursery school; c a pupil referral unit; or d an independent school. 2 An education action zone shall be established in the first instance for three years; but the Secretary of State may, by an order made before the end of that period, provide for the zone to continue in existence for a further two years. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 No order shall be made by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) or (2) except on an application made for the purpose with the consent of the governing body of every school which it is proposed should be a participating school. 5 Any school which ceases to be a participating school by virtue of subsection (2) may nevertheless be included in a further order under subsection (1). 6 In this Chapter— a references to a governing body— i in relation to an independent school (other than an Academy, city technology college or city college for the technology of the arts), are to the proprietor of the school, and ii in relation to a new school, include the temporary governing body of the school; b “ participating school ”, in relation to an education action zone, means one of the schools that— i for the time being is included in the order under subsection (1), or ii has been added to the zone by virtue of section 11B, other than a school that has been removed from the zone in accordance with section 11C; c “ pupil referral unit ” has the same meaning as in section 19 of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56); d “ new school ” has the meaning given in section 72(3). 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Unless the Secretary of State by order otherwise provides, nothing in this Chapter applies in relation to Wales. Establishment of Education Action Forum for zone. 11 1 An order establishing an education action zone under section 10(1) shall provide for the establishment of an Education Action Forum for the zone. 2 An Education Action Forum shall be a body corporate ... . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Schedule 1 has effect in relation to an Education Action Forum. 5 The Forum established for an education action zone shall be dissolved by order of the Secretary of State with effect from the time when the zone ceases to exist in accordance with section 10(2). 6 An order under subsection (5) may make provision for the transfer of property, staff, rights and liabilities of the Forum and for the preparation of a final statement of accounts. Constitution of Education Action Forum 11A 1 The members of an Education Action Forum must include— a one person appointed by the governing body of each of the participating schools, unless the governing body of any such school choose not to make such an appointment, and b one or two persons appointed by the Secretary of State, unless he chooses not to make such appointments. 2 Subject to that, an Education Action Forum— a shall initially be constituted in accordance with the order under section 10(1), and b may subsequently alter its membership (as set out in that order or as previously altered under this paragraph). 3 In subsection (2) the references to altering the Forum’s membership include— a altering the number of members, and b altering who may appoint members. 4 An alteration may be made under subsection (2)(b) only if it is made— a in accordance with any procedural requirements specified for the purposes of this section in regulations under Schedule 1, and b with the consent of the Secretary of State. Expansion of zone 11B 1 An Education Action Forum established for an education action zone may add— a any eligible school (within the meaning of section 10(1A)), or b any new school which has a temporary governing body, to the zone. 2 But a school may be added under this section only if it is added— a in accordance with any procedural requirements specified for the purposes of this section in regulations under Schedule 1, and b with the consent of the governing body of the school and of the Secretary of State. 3 For the purposes of this section references to a school being added to an education action zone are to it becoming one of the schools which constitute collectively the zone. Removal from zone 11C 1 An Education Action Forum established for an education action zone may remove a participating school from the zone. 2 But a school may be removed under this section only if it is removed— a in accordance with any procedural requirements specified for the purposes of this section in regulations under Schedule 1, and b with the consent of the Secretary of State. 3 For the purposes of this section references to a school being removed from an education action zone are to it ceasing to be one of the schools which constitute collectively the zone. Information relating to a Forum and its zone 11D 1 An Education Action Forum established for an education action zone must provide the Secretary of State with details of— a any alteration made to its constitution under section 11A(2)(b), b any addition of a school to the zone under section 11B, and c any removal of a school from the zone under section 11C. 2 The Forum must also, on a request being made by any person, provide him with— a the name of each member of the Forum and of the person or body that appointed him, b the name of any other person or body entitled to appoint a member, and c the name of each participating school in relation to the zone. 3 But the duty under subsection (2) is subject, in such circumstances as the Forum may determine, to the payment by the person concerned of a reasonable fee determined by the Forum. Functions of Education Action Forum. 12 1 An Education Action Forum shall have as its main object the improvement of standards in the provision of education at each of the participating schools. 1A With the consent of the Secretary of State, a Forum may also carry on any other activities which it considers will promote the provision of, or access to, education whether in a participating school or otherwise. 2 A Forum may, under arrangements made by the governing body of a participating school in respect of any prescribed function of that body relating to the conduct of the school, either— a discharge that function on behalf of the governing body until such time as they may specify in a request to the Forum to cease discharging the function on their behalf; or b assume full responsibility for the discharge of that function during the whole of the period for which the Forum remains in existence. 3 Regulations may make provision— a as to the circumstances in which the governing body of a participating school may make arrangements under subsection (2); b for the procedure to be followed by such a governing body in connection with the making of any such arrangements; c for the procedure to be followed by an Education Action Forum when discharging any function by virtue of that subsection; d for statutory provisions relating to governing bodies of maintained schools to apply, with any prescribed modifications, to an Education Action Forum when discharging any function by virtue of paragraph (b) of that subsection. 4 Regulations may, in relation to the discharge by an Education Action Forum of any function of a governing body under sections 35 to 37 of, or Schedule 2 to, the Education Act 2002 or under regulations made under those sections, make any such provision as may be made by an order under section 81 (application of employment law during financial delegation). 5 The Secretary of State may by a direction provide for any scheme under Chapter IV of Part II of this Act which relates to a participating school to have effect with such modifications as he considers appropriate in a case where an Education Action Forum is discharging any function in relation to the school by virtue of subsection (2)(b). 6 Before giving a direction under subsection (5) the Secretary of State shall consult the local authority . Disapplication of pay and conditions order in relation to teachers at participating schools. 13 For section 3 of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Act 1991 there shall be substituted— Special provisions as to schools in education action zones. 3 1 A pay and conditions order shall not apply to the statutory conditions of employment of the school teachers in a participating school the governing body of which— a have, by notice to the Secretary of State, made an application for exemption; and b pursuant to that application are for the time being exempted from subsections (6) and (7) of section 2 above by virtue of an order under subsection (4) below. 2 Before making an application under subsection (1) above, the governing body of the participating school concerned shall consult the school teachers employed at the school with respect to the proposed application. 3 A notice of application under subsection (1) above shall specify a date, at least three months after the date of the notice, with effect from which the governing body of the participating school concerned intend to make their own provision as to the statutory conditions of employment of the school teachers employed at the school. 4 On receipt of a notice of application under subsection (1) above the Secretary of State may, by statutory instrument, make an order— a naming the school; and b specifying, as the date with effect from which, by virtue of the order, subsections (6) and (7) of section 2 above are not to apply, the date specified in the notice of application or such other date as may be agreed between the governing body and the Secretary of State. 5 Where by virtue of an order under subsection (4) above a pay and conditions order ceases to apply in relation to any school, the statutory conditions of employment of the school teachers employed at the school shall be— a such as may be determined by the governing body, or b so far as the governing body have not made any determination with respect to any such conditions of employment, those having effect under the order immediately before it ceased to apply; and (so far as necessary) the local education authority shall give effect to any such determination of the governing body. 6 In this section “ participating school ” means one of the schools for the time being included in an order under section 10(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 establishing an education action zone. Chapter IV Intervention in schools in Wales causing concern Intervention by local authorities Powers of intervention exercisable by local authorities . 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cases where local authority may exercise powers of intervention. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of local authority to appoint additional governors. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of local authority to provide for governing body to consist of interim executive members 16A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of local authority to suspend right to delegated budget. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intervention by Assembly Power of Assembly to appoint additional governors. 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Assembly to provide for governing body to consist of interim executive members 18A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Assembly to direct closure of school. 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Welsh Ministers to direct local authority to give warning notice: teachers' pay and conditions 19ZA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Governing bodies consisting of interim executive members Governing bodies consisting of interim executive members 19A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part II New framework for maintained schools Chapter I Introductory The new categories of schools New categories of maintained schools. 20 1 Schools maintained by local authorities on or after the appointed day shall be divided into the following categories— a community schools; b foundation schools; c voluntary schools, comprising— i voluntary aided schools, and ii voluntary controlled schools; d community special schools; and e foundation special schools. 2 A school maintained by a local authority is a school falling within one of the categories set out in subsection (1) if— a it became a school of that category on the appointed day in accordance with Schedule 2 (and has not changed its category under the change of category provisions ); or b it was established as a school of that category under any enactment (and has not changed its category under the change of category provisions ); or c it has become a school of that category in accordance with the change of category provisions . 2A In subsection (2) “ the change of category provisions ” means— a in the case of a school in England, Schedule 8 to this Act or sections 18 to 24 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and b in the case of a school in Wales, Schedule 8 to this Act or sections 45 to 55 of, and Schedule 4 to, the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 . 3 Schedule 2 makes provision for, and in connection with, the allocation to the categories set out in subsection (1) of schools which immediately before the appointed day were (within the meaning of the Education Act 1996)— a county, voluntary or maintained special schools, or b grant-maintained or grant-maintained special schools. 4 As from the appointed day a local authority shall maintain (as a school falling within one of those categories)— a any school within subsection (3)(a) which was maintained by the authority immediately before that day; and b (subject to subsection (5)) any school within subsection (3)(b) which immediately before that day was situated within the authority’s area. 5 Where a grant-maintained school within subsection (3)(b)— a was, immediately before becoming such a school, maintained by a local authority (“ the former maintaining authority ”) other than the one within whose area it was then situated, and b remains outside the area of the former maintaining authority immediately before the appointed day, nevertheless, if an order made by the Secretary of State before that day so provides, as from that day the school shall be maintained (as a school falling within one of the categories set out in subsection (1)) by the former maintaining authority rather than the authority in whose area it is situated on that day. 6 In this section “ school ” means a primary, secondary or special school, including a nursery school which is a special school but excluding— a a nursery school which is not a special school; and b a pupil referral unit. 7 In this Act— “ the appointed day ” (except in Part I of Schedule 32) means such day as may be appointed for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State; “ maintained school ” means (unless the context otherwise requires) a community, foundation or voluntary school or a community or foundation special school. 8 Any reference in this Act to the categories set out in subsection (1) or to any such category is to be read, in its application to voluntary schools, as (or as including) a reference to the sub-categories set out in subsection (1)(c)(i) and (ii) or to any such sub-category. Kinds of foundation and voluntary schools and types of foundations. 21 1 There may be three kinds of foundation school— a those having a foundation established otherwise than under this Act; b those belonging to a group of schools for which a foundation body acts under this section; and c those not falling within either of paragraphs (a) and (b). 2 There may be three kinds of voluntary controlled or voluntary aided school— a those having a foundation established otherwise than under this Act; b those belonging to a group of schools for which a foundation body acts under this section; and c those not falling within either of paragraphs (a) and (b) but having been either of the following immediately before the appointed day, namely— i a voluntary school, or ii a grant-maintained school that was a voluntary school immediately before becoming grant-maintained, within the meaning of the Education Act 1996. 3 For the purposes of this Act— a “ foundation ”, in relation to a foundation or voluntary school, means— i any body of persons (whether incorporated or not but excluding the governing body) which holds land on trust for the purposes of the school, or ii a foundation body; b a school “has” a foundation if— i such a body of persons exists for holding land on trust for the purposes of the school, or ii the school belongs to a group of schools for which a foundation body acts under this section; and c references to land or other property held on trust, or by trustees, for the purposes of a school include references to land or other property which— i is held on trust for purposes which (whether the trust deed expressly so provides or not) include the purposes of the school, and ii is used for the purposes of the school. 4 For the purposes of this Act— a “ foundation body ” means a body corporate established under this section to perform, in relation to three or more schools each of which is either a foundation or a voluntary school, the following functions, namely— i to hold property of those schools for the purposes of the schools, and ii to appoint foundation governors for those schools; and b “ the group ”, in relation to a foundation body, means the group of three or more schools for which the body performs those functions. 5 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for and in connection with— a the establishment, membership, functions and winding up of a foundation body, and b the steps to be taken in connection with schools joining or leaving the group. 6 Regulations under subsection (5) may, in particular, make provision— a with respect to the transfer of property, rights and liabilities to and from a foundation body when schools join or leave the group but do not change category ... under section 19 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 or in accordance with proposals made under section 45 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 ; b with respect to the revision or replacement of the instruments of government of schools joining or leaving the group in such circumstances and the reconstitution of their governing bodies; c authorising a foundation body to appoint foundation governors to every school in the group; d prescribing a model instrument of government for adoption by a foundation body subject to variations approved by the Secretary of State; e for conferring functions with respect to the resolution of disputes— i between schools in the group, or ii between one or more such schools and a foundation body, on such person or body as may be specified in the regulations; f in connection with a school leaving the group— i for requiring the publication of proposals ... under section 19 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 or under section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 ; ii for enabling the Secretary of State to require the publication under either of those sections of proposals for the school to become a school of a category specified by him; iii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . g for the dissolution of a foundation body by order of the Secretary of State; h for enabling the Secretary of State, in the case of any land held by a foundation body immediately before its dissolution which by virtue of this Act could not be disposed of without his consent or to the disposal of which paragraph A9 of Schedule 22 would apply , to determine how that land is to be dealt with on its dissolution; i for conferring functions on ... adjudicators including any functions which might otherwise be conferred on the Secretary of State. 7 Regulations made in pursuance of subsection (6)(b) may, in connection with the making or variation of instruments of government in preparation for schools joining or leaving the group, modify paragraph 1 of Schedule 12 in its operation in relation to such instruments of government. 8 The Secretary of State may, after consulting a foundation body, make an order modifying the instrument of government adopted by that body. 9 Regulations may make provision for applying to foundation special schools, with or without modifications— a any of the provisions of subsections (3) to (8); or b any provision of Schedule 21 to this Act (transfers of land on appointed day). Maintenance and other funding of schools. 22 1 A local authority are under a duty to maintain the following schools— a any maintained schools which they are required to maintain by virtue of section 20(4) or (5); b any maintained schools established by them ...; c any maintained schools established in their area ... otherwise than by them or any other local authority ; and d any maintained nursery school established by them. 2 Subsection (1) has effect subject to any statutory provision authorising the discontinuance of a maintained school or maintained nursery school. 3 In the case of a community school, a community special school or a maintained nursery school, the local authority ’s duty to maintain the school includes— a the duty of defraying all the expenses of maintaining it, and b the duty of making premises available to be used for the purposes of the school. 4 In the case of a foundation, voluntary controlled or foundation special school, the local authority ’s duty to maintain the school includes— a the duty of defraying all the expenses of maintaining it, and b the duty, under any enactment of providing new premises for the school . 5 In the case of a voluntary aided school, the local authority ’s duty to maintain the school includes— a the duty of defraying all the expenses of maintaining it, except any expenditure that by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 is to be met by the governing body, and b the duty, under any enactment of providing new premises for the school . 6 For the purposes of this Act the expenses of maintaining a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school include the payment of rates. 7 Schedule 3 (which makes provision as to the functions of governing bodies, local authorities and the Secretary of State as to the funding of foundation, voluntary and foundation special schools) shall have effect. 8 In this Act— a in relation to a school maintained (or proposed to be maintained) by a local authority , “ the local authority ” means that authority; and b in relation to schools falling within subsections (3) to (6), “ maintain ” shall be read in accordance with those subsections. 9 In this Act “ maintained nursery school ” means a nursery school which is maintained by a local authority and is not a special school. Charitable status of maintained schools, etc. 23 1 The following shall be charities ...— a the governing body of any foundation, voluntary or foundation special school; and b any foundation body established under section 21; but no governing body of a community or community special school shall be a charity. 1A Any body to which subsection (1)(a) or (b) applies is, as a result of its inclusion in Schedule 3 to the Charities Act 2011, an exempt charity for the purposes of that Act. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Any foundation established otherwise than under this Act which has no property other than the premises of any school or schools falling within subsection (1)(a) shall be a charity and is an institution which is to be treated for the purposes of section 31(3) of the Charities Act 2011 as if that provision applied to it. 4 In this section— a “institution” has the same meaning as in the Charities Act 2011; b “ premises ” includes a teacher’s dwelling-house. Foundation and foundation special schools: requirements as to foundations 23A 1 This section applies to any foundation or foundation special school having a foundation if any one or more of the following conditions is met. 2 Condition A is that the school was established as a foundation or foundation special school in pursuance of proposals falling to be implemented under Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006. 3 Condition B is that the school— a acquired its foundation, or b became a school whose instrument of government provides for the majority of governors to be foundation governors, in pursuance of proposals falling to be implemented under regulations under section 24 of that Act. 4 Condition C is that the school changed category from voluntary aided school to foundation school in pursuance of proposals falling to be implemented under regulations under section 24 of that Act and has an instrument of government providing for the majority of governors to be foundation governors. 5 No institution may act as the foundation of a school to which this section applies unless— a it is a body corporate of a prescribed description, b it is a charity (whether by virtue of section 23(3) or otherwise), and c it has as its purpose, or one of its purposes, the advancement of the education of pupils at the school or schools in respect of which it acts as the foundation. 6 The foundation of a school to which this section applies shall, in carrying out its functions in relation to the school, promote community cohesion. 7 Where any members of the foundation are to be local authorities or persons appointed by local authorities, the proportion of voting rights exercisable by such members must not exceed 20 per cent. of the total voting rights exercisable by members. 8 Where any of the charity trustees in relation to the foundation are to be appointed by local authorities— a the proportion of the charity trustees who are appointed by local authorities must not exceed 20 per cent. of the total number of charity trustees, and b the voting rights exercisable by the charity trustees who are appointed by local authorities must not exceed 20 per cent. of the total voting rights exercisable by charity trustees. 9 Regulations may disqualify persons from acting as charity trustee in relation to a school to which this section applies. 10 In this section and section 23B— ... “ charity trustee ”, in relation to a school to which this section applies, means any individual who is for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011 a charity trustee in relation to the school's foundation; “ foundation ” means a foundation established otherwise than under this Act; “ institution ” has the same meaning as in the the Charities Act 2011 ; “local authority” includes a non-metropolitan district council for an area for which there is a county council; “ purpose ” includes object. Powers of Secretary of State in relation to charity trustees of foundations 23B 1 Regulations may make provision enabling the Secretary of State in prescribed cases by direction— a to remove any charity trustee of a school to which section 23A applies, even though the person is not disqualified by virtue of subsection (9) of that section; b to appoint a person to be a charity trustee of such a school (whether in place of a trustee removed by him under paragraph (a) or otherwise). 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision as to the effect of a direction given by the Secretary of State under the regulations, and may in particular provide for any such direction to have the same effect as an order of the Charity Commission for England and Wales under section 76 or sections 79 to 81 of the Charities Act 2011 for the removal or appointment of a charity trustee. 3 Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Charity Commission for England and Wales under any enactment. New arrangements for organisation of schools School organisation committees. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjudicators. 25 1 The Secretary of State shall appoint for England such number of persons to act as adjudicators for the purposes of this Act as he considers appropriate. 2 Any matter which by virtue of this Act or Part 2 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 is required to be referred to “ the adjudicator ” shall be referred to such person appointed under this section as may be determined in accordance with regulations under Schedule 5. 3 Accordingly in this Act “ the adjudicator ”, in relation to any such matter, means the person mentioned in subsection (2). 3A When asked to do so by the Secretary of State, an adjudicator must give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters relating to the admission of pupils to relevant schools as the Secretary of State may specify. 3B The adjudicator may, for the purposes of providing such advice to the Secretary of State, request any of the following persons to provide him with such information held by them as the adjudicator may specify— a the admission authority (within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 3) of a community, foundation or voluntary school; b the proprietor of any other relevant school. 3C A person so requested by the adjudicator to provide information must comply with the request. 3D In subsections (3A) and (3B), “ relevant school ” means a school in England falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 5(2) of the Education Act 2005. 4 Schedule 5 has effect in relation to adjudicators. School organisation plans. 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plans of local learning and skills councils. 26A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plans of National Council. 26B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power to require committees or adjudicators for Wales. 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter II Establishment, alteration or discontinuance of schools Mainstream schools maintained by local authorities Proposals for establishment or alteration of community, foundation or voluntary school in Wales . 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proposals for establishment of community, foundation or voluntary school maintained by English LEA 28A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proposals for discontinuance of community, foundation, voluntary or maintained nursery school in Wales . 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notice by governing body to discontinue foundation or voluntary school in England . 30 1 Subject to the following provisions of this section, the governing body of a foundation or voluntary school in England may discontinue the school by serving on the Secretary of State and the local authority at least two years’ notice of their intention to do so. 2 If expenditure has been incurred on the school premises (otherwise than in connection with repairs)— a by the Secretary of State, b by the Funding Agency for Schools, c by any local authority , or d by an authority which was a local education authority within the meaning of any enactment repealed by the Education Act 1944 or an earlier Act, no such notice may be served without the consent of the Secretary of State. 3 If discontinuing the school would affect the facilities for full-time education suitable to the requirements of persons over compulsory school age who have not attained the age of 19, the governing body shall, before serving a notice under this section, consult— a if the school is in England— i the Secretary of State , and ii each local authority which has secured the provision of education for any such persons at the school; b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 If, while a notice under subsection (1) is in force in respect of a foundation or voluntary school, the governing body inform the local authority that they are unable or unwilling to carry on the school until the notice expires, the authority— a may conduct the school for all or part of the unexpired period of the notice as if it were a community school, and b shall be entitled to use the school premises free of charge for that purpose. 5 While the school is being so conducted— a the authority shall keep the school premises in good repair, and b any interest in the premises which is held for the purposes of the school shall be deemed, for all purposes relating to the condition, occupation or use of the premises, or the making of alterations to them, to be vested in the authority. 6 Despite the provisions of subsection (5) the governing body may use the premises, or any part of them, when not required for the purposes of the school to the same extent as if they had continued to carry on the school during the unexpired period of the notice. 7 A notice served under subsection (1) may not be withdrawn without the consent of the local authority . 8 If a foundation or voluntary school is discontinued under this section, the duty of the local authority to maintain the school as a foundation or voluntary school shall cease. 9 Nothing in any of the following provisions applies in relation to the discontinuance under this section of a foundation or voluntary school— a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b sections 15 and 28 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (which relate to England). 10 Where— a land occupied by a foundation or voluntary school is held by any trustees for the purposes of the school, and b the termination of the school’s occupation of that land would have the result that it was not reasonably practicable for the school to continue to be conducted at its existing site, then if the trustees (being entitled to do so) give any notice to the governing body which purports to terminate the school’s occupation of the land, any such notice shall not be effective to terminate its occupation of the land unless the requirements of subsection (11) are complied with in relation to the notice (without prejudice to any other statutory or other requirements falling to be so complied with). 11 The requirements of this subsection are— a that the period of notice must— i be reasonable having regard to the length of time that would be required to discontinue the school (if the governing body chose to do so), and ii in any event must not be less than two years; and b that a copy of the notice must be given to the Secretary of State and the local authority at the time when the notice is given to the governing body. 12 Where trustees give, at the same (or substantially the same) time, notices purporting to terminate a foundation or voluntary school’s occupation of two or more pieces of land held by the trustees for the purposes of the school, then for the purpose of determining whether subsection (10)(b) applies in relation to any of those pieces of land, regard may be had to the combined effect of terminating the school’s occupation of both or all of them. 13 If a question arises as to whether the termination of a school’s occupation of any land would have the result mentioned in subsection (10)(b) (including a question as to whether subsection (12) applies in any particular circumstances), it shall be determined by the Secretary of State. Special schools maintained by local authorities in Wales Proposals for establishment, alteration or discontinuance of community or foundation special school in Wales . 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direction requiring discontinuance of community or foundation special school in Wales . 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further provisions relating to establishment, alteration or discontinuance of schools Further provisions relating to establishment, alteration or discontinuance of schools in Wales . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rationalisation of school places Rationalisation of school places. 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change of category of school School in Wales changing from one category to another. 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter III Government of maintained schools Governing bodies Governing bodies. 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instruments of government Instruments of government. 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Functions of governing body General responsibility of governing body for conduct of school. 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional functions of governing body. 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Control of school premises Control of use of school premises by governing body. 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fixing of school holidays and times of sessions Responsibility for fixing dates of terms and holidays and times of sessions. 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reports and parents’ meetings Governors’ reports and other information. 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annual parents’ meetings. 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Government of new schools Arrangements for government of new schools. 44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter IV Financing of maintained schools Budgetary framework Maintained schools to have budget shares. 45 1 For the purposes of the financing of maintained schools by local authorities , every such school shall have, for each funding period , a budget share which is allocated to it by the authority which maintains it. 1A In this Chapter “ maintained school ” means— a a community, foundation or voluntary school, b a community or foundation special school, ... c a maintained nursery school , or d a pupil referral unit in England. 1B In this Chapter “ funding period ” means a financial year or such other period as may be prescribed. 2 Sections 45A to 47 have effect for determining the amount of a school’s budget share for a funding period . 3 In this Chapter— a references to schools maintained by a local authority do not include pupil referral units in Wales ; aa references to the governing body of a maintained school or of a school maintained by a local authority shall be read, in relation to a pupil referral unit in England, as references to the management committee for the unit (in spite of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Education Act 1996); ab references to governors shall be read, in relation to a pupil referral unit in England, as references to the members of the management committee for the unit; b references, in a context referring to a local authority , to a maintained school or to a school maintained by such an authority shall be read as including a new school— i which on implementation of proposals under any enactment will be a community, foundation or voluntary school or a community or foundation special school maintained by the authority, and ii which has a temporary governing body; and c references to the governing body of a maintained school or of a school maintained by a local authority shall accordingly be read as including the temporary governing body of a new school falling within paragraph (b). 4 In this Chapter “new school” (without more) has the meaning given by section 72(3). Determination of specified budgets of local authority 45A 1 For the purposes of this Part, a local authority ’s “ non-schools education budget ” for a relevant period is the amount appropriated by the authority for meeting all education expenditure by the authority in that period of a class or description prescribed for the purposes of this subsection. 1A In subsection (1) “ relevant period ” means a financial year or such other period as may be prescribed. 2 For the purposes of this Part, a local authority ’s “ schools budget ” for a funding period is the amount appropriated by the authority for meeting all education expenditure by the authority in that period of a class or description prescribed for the purposes of this subsection (which may include expenditure incurred otherwise than in respect of schools). 2A The amount referred to in subsection (2) includes the amount of any grant which is appropriated, for meeting the expenditure mentioned in that subsection, in accordance with a condition which— a is imposed under section 16 of the Education Act 2002 (terms on which assistance under section 14 of that Act is given) or any other enactment, and b requires that the grant be applied as part of the authority's schools budget for the funding period. 3 For the purposes of this Part, a local authority ’s “ individual schools budget ” for a funding period is the amount remaining after deducting from the authority’s schools budget for that period such planned education expenditure by the authority in respect of that period as they may determine should be so deducted in accordance with regulations. 4 Regulations under subsection (3) may— a prescribe classes or descriptions of expenditure which are authorised or required to be deducted from an authority’s schools budget; b provide, in relation to any prescribed class or description of expenditure specified in the regulations, that such expenditure may only be deducted subject to either or both of the following, namely— i such limit or limits (however framed) as may be specified by or determined in accordance with the regulations, and ii such other conditions as may be so specified or determined. 4A Regulations under subsection (3) may also make provision— a enabling any expenditure falling outside any classes or descriptions of expenditure prescribed by virtue of subsection (4)(a) to be deducted from the authority's schools budget if the deduction of such expenditure is authorised, on the application of the authority, by the authority's schools forum or the Secretary of State, and b enabling any limit or condition that would otherwise apply by virtue of subsection (4)(b)(i) or (ii) to be varied or excluded, on the application of the authority, by the authority's schools forum or the Secretary of State. 4B For the purposes of this Part, the duty imposed on a local authority in England by section 7(1) of the Childcare Act 2006 (duty to secure prescribed early years provision free of charge) is to be treated as an education function of the authority . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 In this section “education expenditure” means expenditure incurred by a local authority in connection with the performance of their education functions. Power to require local authorities in England to determine schools budget 45AA 1 Regulations may require a local authority in England, not later than the prescribed date, to make an initial determination of their schools budget for a funding period. 2 The date prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) may be a date falling up to 48 months before the beginning of the funding period. 3 Regulations under subsection (1) may— a authorise or require local authorities in England to take account of matters arising after the initial determination of their schools budgets for any funding period but before the beginning of the funding period, by redetermining their schools budgets for the period in accordance with the regulations, and b require notice of any initial determination or revised determination to be given in accordance with the regulations to the governing bodies of schools maintained by the local authority . Duty of local authorities in Wales to determine schools budget 45AB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power to require local authorities in Wales to determine schools budget 45AC 1 Regulations may require a local authority in Wales, not later than the prescribed date, to make an initial determination of their schools budget for a funding period. 2 The date prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) may be a date falling up to 48 months before the beginning of the funding period. 3 Regulations under subsection (1) may— a authorise or require local authorities in Wales to take account of matters arising after the initial determination of their schools budgets for the funding period but before the beginning of the funding period, by redetermining their schools budgets for the period in accordance with the regulations, and b require notice of any initial determination or revised determination to be given in accordance with the regulations to the Assembly and to the governing bodies of schools maintained by the local authority . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Assembly to set minimum schools budget for local authority in Wales 45B 1 If it appears to the National Assembly for Wales that, in all the circumstances, the proposed amount of a local authority 's schools budget for a funding period is inadequate, the Assembly may, within the period of fourteen days beginning with the schools budget deadline in the funding period preceding that funding period, give the authority a notice under subsection (6) or (7). 2 In subsection (1), the reference to the proposed amount of a local authority 's schools budget for a funding period is— a if section 45AB is in force in relation to that funding period, a reference to the amount specified in a notice under section 45AB(1)(b), or b if regulations under section 45AC(1) are in force in relation to that funding period, a reference to such amount, determined by the authority in accordance with those regulations and specified in a notice required by those regulations to be given to the Assembly, as may be prescribed. 3 If at the schools budget deadline in any funding period, a local authority in Wales have failed to give the Assembly a notice under section 45AB(1)(b) or a notice required as mentioned in subsection (2)(b), the Assembly may, at any time after that deadline, give the authority a notice under subsection (6) or (7). 4 In this section “ the schools budget deadline ”— a in a case falling within subsection (2)(a), has the same meaning as in section 45AB, and b in a case falling within subsection (2)(b), means the time in the funding period preceding the funding period to which the schools budget relates by which regulations under section 45AC(1) require notice of a revised determination of the schools budget to be given to the Assembly. 5 In this section and section 45C “ the period under consideration ” means the funding period to which the notice mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b) relates or, in a case falling within subsection (3), the funding period in relation to which such a notice ought to have been given. 6 A notice under this subsection is a notice determining the minimum amount of the authority's schools budget for the period under consideration. 7 A notice under this subsection is a notice which— a specifies the amount which the Assembly would have determined as the minimum amount of the authority's schools budget for the period under consideration if the Assembly had acted under subsection (4), and b states the Assembly's intention to determine the minimum amount of the authority's schools budget for the following funding period. 8 A notice under subsection (6) or (7) must include a statement of the Assembly's reasons for giving the notice. 9 The Assembly may act under different subsections in relation to different authorities. Effect of notice under section 45B(6) 45C 1 The local authority may, within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of a notice under section 45B(6), give the National Assembly for Wales notice of their objection to the Assembly's determination, giving reasons for their objection. 2 Where the local authority have given notice of their objection under subsection (1), the notice under section 45B(6) shall cease to have effect, but the Assembly may by order prescribe the minimum amount of the authority's schools budget for the period under consideration. 3 The amount prescribed under subsection (2) must not be greater than the amount specified in the notice under section 45B(6). 4 An order under subsection (2) may relate to two or more authorities. 5 Where— a a notice under section 45B(6) has been given to a local authority and no notice of objection has been given during the period specified in subsection (1), or b an order has been made under subsection (2), the local authority shall determine a schools budget for the period under consideration which is not less than the amount specified in relation to the authority in the notice or order. Power of Assembly to repeal Wales-only school funding provisions 45D The Assembly may by order— a repeal any of the following provisions— section 45AB, section 45AC(4), and sections 45B and 45C, and b make any amendments of the other provisions of this Chapter which appear to the Assembly to be necessary or expedient in consequence of any repeal made by virtue of paragraph (a). Determination of LEA’s local schools budget and individual schools budget. 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Determination of school’s budget share. 47 1 For the purposes of this Part a maintained school’s budget share for a funding period is such amount as the local authority may determine, in accordance with regulations, to allocate to the school out of the authority’s individual schools budget for that period . 2 Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision— a as to the time when schools’ budget shares are to be initially determined by local authorities ; b specifying— i factors or criteria which such authorities are to take into account, or ii requirements as to other matters with which such authorities are to comply, in determining such shares, whether generally or in such cases as are specified in the regulations; c requiring adjustments to be made to such shares by such authorities in respect of— i pupils permanently excluded from schools maintained by them, or ii pupils admitted to schools maintained by them who have been permanently excluded from other maintained schools; d as to the treatment of new schools, including provision authorising the determination of nil amounts as the budget shares of such schools; dd authorising or requiring such authorities to take account of matters arising after the initial determination of budget shares for a funding period but before the beginning of the funding period, by redetermining budget shares for that period in accordance with the regulations, and requiring them in that connection to disregard such matters as may be specified in the regulations; e authorising or requiring such authorities to take account of matters arising during the course of a funding period — i by redetermining budget shares for that funding period , or ii by making adjustments to such shares for the following funding period , in accordance with the regulations, and requiring them in that connection to disregard such matters as may be specified in the regulations; f requiring consultation to be carried out by such authorities in relation to the factors or criteria which are to be taken into account in determining such shares and as to the time and manner of such consultation; ff requiring notice of any initial determination or revised determination to be given in accordance with the regulations to the governing bodies of schools maintained by the authority in question; g authorising local authorities in prescribed cases to determine (or redetermine) budget shares, to such extent as may be prescribed, in accordance with arrangements approved by the authority's schools forum or the Secretary of State in accordance with the regulations (in place of the arrangements provided for by the regulations); 2A The time by which regulations made in pursuance of subsection (2)(a) require an initial determination of schools' budget shares for a funding period to be made may be up to 48 months before the beginning of the funding period. 3 Regulations made in pursuance of subsection (2)(c) may provide for the adjustments to be made on such basis as may be prescribed, which may involve the deduction from one school’s budget share of an amount which is greater or less than that allocated to another school’s budget share in respect of the excluded pupil. Free of charge early years provision outside a maintained school: budgetary framework: England 47ZA 1 This section applies where a local authority in England propose to allocate an amount of relevant financial assistance to a relevant childcare provider for a funding period out of the authority's individual schools budget for the period. 2 The amount to be allocated is to be determined in accordance with regulations. 3 Financial assistance provided by a local authority in England to a childcare provider is “relevant” financial assistance if it is provided— a for the purpose of the discharge of the authority's duty under section 7 of the Childcare Act 2006, and b in respect of the provision of childcare. 4 Regulations under this section may, in particular— a specify factors or criteria which an authority are to take into account in determining the amount of any relevant financial assistance to be provided by them to a relevant childcare provider; b specify factors or criteria which an authority are to disregard in determining such an amount; c specify requirements as to other matters with which an authority are to comply in determining such an amount; d make provision about consultation to be carried out by an authority in connection with determining such an amount; e authorise an authority, in prescribed circumstances and to a prescribed extent, to determine such an amount in accordance with arrangements approved by the Secretary of State (instead of in accordance with arrangements provided for by the regulations); f require an authority to provide relevant childcare providers with prescribed information relating to their determination of such an amount; g make provision about the circumstances in which an authority are required to redetermine such an amount; h specify a time by which an authority's determination of such an amount is to take place. 5 For the purposes of this section— a “ childcare ” has the meaning given in section 18 of the Childcare Act 2006; b “ relevant childcare provider ” means a provider of childcare other than the governing body of a maintained school; c a reference to an authority's determination of the amount of any relevant financial assistance includes a reference to the authority's redetermination of such an amount. Schools forums Schools forums 47A 1 Every local authority shall in accordance with regulations establish for their area before such date as may be prescribed a body, to be known as a schools forum, representing the governing bodies and head teachers of schools maintained by the authority and, if the authority so determine, also representing such bodies as the authority may from time to time in accordance with regulations determine. Every local authority must, in accordance with regulations, establish for their area a body to be known as a schools forum. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly. 3 The purpose of a schools forum is— a to advise the relevant authority on such matters relating to the authority's schools budget as may be prescribed by regulations under section 45A(3) or by regulations under this subsection, and b to exercise any other function that may be imposed on the schools forum by or under this Chapter . 3A In exercising its functions, a schools forum is to have regard to any children and young people's plan prepared by the local Children's Trust Board. 4 Regulations under section 45A(3) or under subsection (3) may include provision requiring a relevant authority to have regard to advice given by their schools forum, or requiring a relevant authority to consult their schools forum in relation to prescribed matters or before taking prescribed decisions. 4A Regulations must provide for a schools forum to include— a members representing governing bodies of schools maintained by the relevant authority, and b members representing head teachers of such schools. 4B Regulations may provide for a schools forum to include— a members representing such other persons— i as may be prescribed, or ii as the relevant authority may from time to time, in accordance with regulations, determine, and b other members, and may make further provision as to the constitution of a schools forum. 5 Regulations may make provision as to the constitution , meetings and proceedings of a schools forum. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regulations may make provision with respect to expenses of a schools forum. 8 Except as provided by regulations, the expenses of a schools forum shall be defrayed by the relevant authority. 9 In this section “ relevant authority ”, in relation to a schools forum, means the local authority by whom the forum is established. 10 In this section— a a “ children and young people's plan ” means a plan published by a Children's Trust Board under section 17 of the Children Act 2004; b “ the local Children's Trust Board ”, in relation to a schools forum, is the Children's Trust Board established by arrangements made under section 10 of that Act by the relevant authority .... Local authority schemes Local authorities ’ financial schemes. 48 1 Each local authority shall maintain a scheme dealing with such matters connected with the financing of the schools maintained by the authority or the exercise by the governing bodies of those schools of the power conferred by section 27 of the Education Act 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc. ) as are required to be dealt with in the scheme by or by virtue of— a regulations made by the Secretary of State; or b any provision of this Part. 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, require a scheme to deal with— a the carrying forward from one funding period to another of surpluses and deficits arising in relation to schools’ budget shares; b amounts which may be charged against schools’ budget shares; c amounts received by schools which may be retained by their governing bodies and the purposes for which such amounts may be used; d the imposition, by or under the scheme, of conditions which must be complied with by schools in relation to the management of their delegated budgets, including conditions prescribing financial controls and procedures; dd the imposition, by or under the scheme, of conditions which must be complied with by schools in relation to the exercise of the power mentioned in subsection (1), including conditions prescribing financial controls and procedures; e terms on which services and facilities are provided by the authority for schools maintained by them. 3 Where there is any inconsistency between a scheme maintained by a local authority under subsection (1) and any other rules or regulations made by the authority which relate to the funding or financial management of schools which they maintain, the terms of the scheme shall prevail. 4 Schedule 14 (which provides for ... the revision of schemes) shall have effect. 5 In this Part any reference to “ the scheme ”, in relation to a maintained school, is a reference to the scheme for the time being maintained under this section . Financial delegation Maintained schools to have delegated budgets. 49 1 Every maintained school shall have a delegated budget. 2 A new school shall have a delegated budget from a date determined in accordance with regulations. 2A Regulations under subsection (2) may— a enable the date that would otherwise apply by virtue of the regulations to be varied in accordance with the regulations, on the application of the local authority , by the authority's schools forum or by the Secretary of State, and b make provision about the respective powers of the schools forum and the Secretary of State in relation to any application to vary that date. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Subject to— a section 50 (right of governing body to spend budget share where school has a delegated budget), b paragraph 4 of Schedule 15 (power of governing body to spend amounts out of budget share where delegation of budget suspended), c section 489(2) of the Education Act 1996 (education standards grants), and d any provisions of the scheme, a local authority may not delegate to the governing body of any maintained school the power to spend any part of the authority’s non-schools education budget or schools budget . 5 Any amount made available by a local authority to the governing body of a maintained school (whether under section 50 or otherwise)— a shall remain the property of the authority until spent by the governing body or the head teacher; and b when spent by the governing body or the head teacher, shall be taken to be spent by them or him as the authority’s agent. 6 Subsection (5)(b) does not apply to any such amount where it is spent— a by way of repayment of the principal of, or interest on, a loan, or b (in the case of a voluntary aided school) to meet expenses payable by the governing body under paragraph 3(1) or (2) of Schedule 3 expenditure payable by the governing body under paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 3 , ... or paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 to the Education Act 2002 ... or paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to, the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 . 7 In this Part— a references to a school having a delegated budget are references to the governing body of the school being entitled to manage the school’s budget share; and b where a school has a delegated budget the governing body are accordingly said to have a right to a delegated budget. Effect of financial delegation. 50 1 Where a maintained school has a delegated budget in respect of the whole or part of a funding period the local authority shall secure that in respect of that period there is available to be spent by the governing body— a where the school has a delegated budget in respect of the whole of that period , a sum equal to the school’s budget share for the period , or b where the school has a delegated budget in respect of only part of that period , a sum equal to that portion of the school’s budget share for the period which has not been spent. 2 The times at which, and the manner in which, any amounts are made available by the authority to the governing body in respect of any such sum shall be such as may be provided by or under the scheme. 3 Subject to any provision made by or under the scheme, the governing body may spend any such amounts as they think fit— a for any purposes of the school; or b (subject also to any prescribed conditions) for such purposes as may be prescribed. 3A In the case of a school in England— a subject to regulations under paragraph (b) below, subsection (3)(a) has effect as if amounts spent on providing facilities or services under section 27 of the Education Act 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc ) were spent for purposes of the school; b regulations may impose restrictions as to the matters on which amounts may be spent under subsection (3)(a). 4 In the case of a school in Wales, “purposes of the school” in subsection (3) does not include purposes wholly referable to the provision of— za facilities and services under section 27 of the Education Act 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc. ), a part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons of any age over compulsory school age, or b full-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who have attained the age of 19; but any such purposes may be prescribed by regulations under paragraph (b) of that subsection. 5 Nothing in subsection (3) shall be read as authorising the payment of allowances to governors otherwise than in accordance with regulations under section 19 of the Education Act 2002 (or, in the case of temporary governors of a new school, regulations under section 34(5) of that Act). 6 The governing body may delegate to the head teacher, to such extent as may be permitted by or under the scheme, their powers under subsection (3) in relation to any amount such as is mentioned in that subsection. 7 The governors of a school shall not incur any personal liability in respect of anything done in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers under subsection (3) or (6). Suspension of financial delegation Suspension of financial delegation for mismanagement etc. 51 Schedule 15 (which provides for the suspension by a local authority of a governing body’s right to a delegated budget in the case of failure to comply with requirements as to delegation or of financial mismanagement, etc.) shall have effect. Expenditure incurred for community purposes Expenditure incurred for community purposes 51A 1 Expenditure incurred by the governing body of a maintained school in Wales in the exercise of the power conferred by section 27 of the Education Act 2002 (power of governing body to provide community facilities etc. ) shall, as against third parties, be treated as part of the expenses of maintaining the school under section 22, but if met by the local authority may be recovered by them from the governing body. 2 Except as provided by regulations under section 50(3)(b), no expenditure incurred by the governing body of a maintained school in Wales in the exercise of the power referred to in subsection (1) shall be met from the school’s budget share for any funding period . 3 Subsection (2) applies at a time when the school does not have a delegated budget by virtue of any suspension under ... Schedule 15 or section 8 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 , as well as a time when it does have a delegated budget. Information Financial statements: Wales. 52 1 Before the beginning of each financial year prescribed period a local authority in Wales shall prepare a statement containing such information relating to their planned education expenditure in that year that period as may be prescribed. 1A The periods prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1)— a must consist of one or more funding periods, and b may include funding periods in respect of which (by virtue of their inclusion in one or more earlier periods prescribed for the purposes of that subsection) information relating to planned education expenditure has previously been required under that subsection. 2 After the end of each financial year prescribed period a local authority in Wales shall prepare a statement containing such information with respect to the following matters as may be prescribed— a the planned education expenditure in that year period specified in the statement prepared by the authority under subsection (1), b education expenditure actually incurred, or treated by the authority as having been incurred, by them in the year period , and c any other resources allocated by the authority in the year period to schools maintained by them during any part of the year period . and d accountable resources held, received or expended in the year period by any person in relation to a school maintained by the authority. 2A In subsection (2)(d), “ accountable resources ”, in relation to a maintained school, means any resources which are not provided by the local authority but in respect of which an obligation is imposed on the governing body of the school by virtue of regulations under section 44 of the Education Act 2002 (accounts of maintained schools). 2B The periods prescribed for the purposes of subsection (2) must consist of one or more funding periods. 3 A statement under this section shall— a be prepared in such form, and b be published in such manner and at such times, as may be prescribed. 4 The authority shall furnish the governing body and head teacher of each school maintained by them with a copy of each statement prepared by the authority under this section or, if regulations so provide, with a copy of such part or parts of it as may be prescribed. 5 A governing body provided with such a copy under subsection (4) shall secure that a copy of it is available for inspection (at all reasonable times and free of charge) at the school. 6 Subsection (5) does not apply to a temporary governing body of a new school at any time before the school opening date. 7 In this section “education expenditure” has the same meaning as in section 45A. Certification of statements by Audit Commission. 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certification of statements by Auditor General for Wales 53A 1 A local authority in Wales shall, if directed to do so by the National Assembly for Wales, require the Auditor General for Wales to make arrangements in accordance with section 96B(1)(d) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 for certifying— a such statement or statements prepared by the authority under section 52 above, or b such part or parts of any such statement or statements, as may be specified in the directions; and for the purposes of section 96B(1)(d) of that Act any statement under section 52 above shall be regarded as a return by the authority. 2 The arrangements made by the Auditor General for Wales in pursuance of subsection (1) shall include arrangements for sending to the National Assembly for Wales— a a copy of the statement or statements so certified, or b a copy of the part or parts so certified, as the case may be. 3 Directions given under subsection (1) may relate to any local authority or to local authorities generally or to any class or description of such authority. Chapter V Staffing and conduct of schools Staffing of schools Staffing of community, voluntary controlled and community special schools. 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staffing of foundation, voluntary aided and foundation special schools. 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staffing for non-school activities. 56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments in respect of dismissal, etc. 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointment and dismissal of teachers of religious education etc Appointment and dismissal of certain teachers at schools with a religious character : England . 58 1 In this section— a subsections (2) to (6) apply to a foundation or voluntary controlled school in England which has a religious character; and b subsection (7) applies (subject to subsection (8)) to a voluntary aided school in England which has a religious character; and references in this Chapter to a school which has (or does not have) a religious character shall be construed in relation to a school in England, in accordance with section 68A and section 69(3). 2 Where the number of teachers at a school to which this subsection applies is more than two, the teachers shall include persons who— a are selected for their fitness and competence to give such religious education as is required in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 19 (arrangements for religious education in accordance with the school’s trust deed or with the tenets of the school’s specified religion or religious denomination), and b are specifically appointed to do so. 3 The number of reserved teachers in such a school shall not exceed one-fifth of the total number of teachers , including the head teacher (and for this purpose, where the total number of teachers is not a multiple of five, it shall be treated as if it were the next higher multiple of five). 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Where the appropriate body propose to appoint a person to be a reserved teacher in such a school, that body— a shall consult the foundation governors, and b shall not so appoint that person unless the foundation governors are satisfied as to his fitness and competence to give such religious education as is mentioned in subsection (2)(a). 6 If the foundation governors of such a school consider that a reserved teacher has failed to give such religious education efficiently and suitably, they may— a in the case of a teacher who is an employee, require the appropriate body to dismiss him from employment as a reserved teacher at the school, and b in the case of a teacher who is engaged otherwise than under a contract of employment, require the governing body to terminate his engagement. 7 If a teacher appointed to give religious education in a school to which this subsection applies fails to give such education efficiently and suitably, he may be dismissed on that ground by the governing body without the consent of the local authority . 8 Subsection (7) does not apply— a where the school has a delegated budget, or b to religious education in accordance with an agreed syllabus. 9 In this section— “ the appropriate body ” means— in relation to a foundation school, the governing body, and in relation to a voluntary controlled school, the local authority ; “ reserved teacher ”, in relation to a foundation or voluntary controlled school, means a person employed or engaged at the school in pursuance of subsection (2). Appointment and dismissal of certain teachers at schools with a religious character: Wales 58A 1 In this section— a subsections (3) to (7) apply to a foundation or voluntary controlled school in Wales that has a religious character, and b subsections (8) and (9) apply (subject to subsection (10)) to a voluntary aided school in Wales that has a religious character. 2 References in this Chapter to a school which has (or does not have) a religious character are to be construed, in relation to a school in Wales, in accordance with section 68A(1). 3 Where the number of teachers at a school to which this subsection applies is more than two, the teachers must include persons (“reserved teachers”) who— a are selected for their fitness and competence to provide teaching and learning within subsection (11), and b are specifically appointed to provide that teaching and learning. 4 The number of reserved teachers at a school must not exceed one fifth of the total number of teachers, including the head teacher; and for this purpose where the total number of teachers is not a multiple of five, it is to be treated as if it were the next higher multiple of five. 5 Where the appropriate body propose to appoint a person as a reserved teacher in a school, that body— a must consult the foundation governors, and b must not appoint that person unless the foundation governors are satisfied as to the person’s fitness and competence to provide teaching and learning within subsection (11). 6 Subsection (7) applies if the foundation governors of a school to which subsection (3) applies consider that a person appointed as a reserved teacher at the school has failed to provide teaching and learning within subsection (11) efficiently and suitably. 7 The foundation governors may— a in the case of a teacher who is an employee, require the appropriate body to dismiss the teacher from employment as a teacher appointed under subsection (3); b in the case of a teacher who is engaged otherwise than under a contract of employment, require the governing body to terminate that engagement. 8 Subsection (9) applies if a teacher appointed to provide teaching and learning within subsection (11), in a school to which this subsection applies, fails to provide that teaching and learning efficiently and suitably. 9 The teacher may be dismissed by the governing body, without the consent of the local authority, on the ground of failure to provide the teaching and learning efficiently and suitably. 10 Subsection (9) does not apply where the school has a delegated budget. 11 Teaching and learning within this section is teaching and learning in Religion, Values and Ethics that accords with— a any provisions of the school’s trust deed that relate to teaching and learning in Religion, Values and Ethics, or b if there are no such provisions, the tenets of the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to the school under section 68A. 12 In this section— “ the appropriate body ” means— in relation to a foundation school, the governing body, and in relation to a voluntary controlled school, the local authority; “ Religion, Values and Ethics ” has the same meaning as in the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021. Religious opinions etc. of staff Staff at community, secular foundation or voluntary, or special school. 59 1 This section applies to— a a community school or a community or foundation special school, or b a foundation or voluntary school which does not have a religious character. 2 No person shall be disqualified by reason of his religious opinions, or of his attending or omitting to attend religious worship— a from being a teacher at the school, or b from being employed or engaged for the purposes of the school otherwise than as a teacher. 3 No teacher at the school shall be required to give religious education (in the case of a school in England) or to provide teaching and learning in Religion, Values and Ethics (in the case of a school in Wales) . 4 No teacher at the school shall receive any less remuneration or be deprived of, or disqualified for, any promotion or other advantage— a by reason of the fact that he does or does not give religious education or (as the case may be) provide teaching and learning in Religion, Values and Ethics , or b by reason of his religious opinions or of his attending or omitting to attend religious worship. Staff at foundation or voluntary school with religious character. 60 1 This section applies to a foundation or voluntary school which has a religious character. 2 If the school is a foundation or voluntary controlled school, then (subject to subsections (3) and (4) below) section 59(2) to (4) shall apply to the school as they apply to a foundation or voluntary controlled school which does not have a religious character. 3 Section 59(2) to (4) shall not so apply in relation to a reserved teacher at the school; and instead subsection (5) below shall apply in relation to such a teacher as it applies in relation to a teacher at a voluntary aided school. 4 In connection with the appointment of a person to be head teacher of the school (whether foundation or voluntary controlled) in a case where the head teacher is not to be a reserved teacher regard may be had to that person’s ability and fitness to preserve and develop the religious character of the school. 5 If the school is a voluntary aided school— a preference may be given, in connection with the appointment, remuneration or promotion of teachers at the school, to persons— i whose religious opinions are in accordance with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to the school under section 68A or section 69(4), or ii who attend religious worship in accordance with those tenets, or iii who give, or are willing to give, religious education at the school in accordance with those tenets (in the case of a school in England) or to provide teaching and learning in Religion, Values and Ethics in accordance with those tenets (in the case of a school in Wales) ; and b regard may be had, in connection with the termination of the employment or engagement of any teacher at the school, to any conduct on his part which is incompatible with the precepts, or with the upholding of the tenets, of the religion or religious denomination so specified. 6 If the school is a voluntary aided school in Wales , no person shall be disqualified by reason of his religious opinions, or of his attending or omitting to attend religious worship, from being employed or engaged for the purposes of the school otherwise than as a teacher. 7 Where immediately before the appointed day a teacher at a school which on that day becomes a school to which this section applies enjoyed, by virtue of section 304 or 305 of the Education Act 1996 (religious opinions of staff etc.), any rights not conferred on him by this section as a teacher at a school to which it applies, he shall continue to enjoy those rights (in addition to those conferred by this section) until he ceases to be employed as a teacher at the school. 8 In this section “ reserved teacher ”, in relation to a foundation or voluntary controlled school, means a person employed at the school in pursuance of section 58(2). Discipline: general Responsibility of governing body and head teacher for discipline. 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Local authority ’s reserve power to prevent a breakdown of discipline. 62 1 The local authority in England may, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) or where subsection (2A) ... applies, take such steps in relation to a maintained school as they consider are required to prevent the breakdown, or continuing breakdown, of discipline at the school. 2 The circumstances are that— a in the opinion of the authority— i the behaviour of registered pupils at the school, or ii any action taken by such pupils or their parents, is such that the education of any registered pupils at the school is (or is likely in the immediate future to become) severely prejudiced; and b the governing body have been informed in writing of the authority’s opinion. 2A This subsection applies where, in the case of a school in England— a a warning notice has been given in accordance with section 60(2) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (“ the 2006 Act ”) referring to the safety of pupils or staff at the school being threatened by a breakdown of discipline at the school, b the governing body have failed to comply, or secure compliance, with the notice to the authority's satisfaction within the compliance period, and c the authority have given reasonable notice in writing to the governing body that they propose to exercise their powers under subsection (1) of this section (whether or not in conjunction with exercising their powers under any one or more of sections 63 to 66 of the 2006 Act); and a notice under paragraph (c) of this subsection may be combined with a notice under section 60(2) of the 2006 Act. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Steps taken by a local authority under subsection (1) may include the giving of any direction to the governing body or head teacher. 5 In this section “ maintained school ” includes a maintained nursery school. School attendance targets School attendance targets. 63 1 Regulations may make provision for and in connection with— a requiring, or b enabling the Secretary of State to require, governing bodies of maintained schools to secure that annual targets are set for reducing the level of ... absences on the part of relevant day pupils at their schools. 2 Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision— a for the Secretary of State to impose such a requirement on the governing body of a maintained school where— i the specified condition is for the time being satisfied in relation to the school, and ii he considers it appropriate to impose the requirement; b for such a requirement to be imposed by the Secretary of State in such manner, and for such period, as may be specified in or determined in accordance with the regulations; c for the Secretary of State, where he considers it appropriate to do so, to exempt the governing body of a maintained school, in relation to any school year, from a requirement imposed by virtue of subsection (1)(a) or (b). 3 For the purposes of subsection (2)(a)(i) the specified condition is for the time being satisfied in relation to a maintained school if in the previous school year the level of ... absences on the part of relevant day pupils at the school (as determined in accordance with the regulations) exceeded such level as may for that year be specified in or determined in accordance with the regulations. 3A Provision made by regulations under this section may relate to— a absences which are authorised pursuant to regulations under section 434 of the Education Act 1996, or b absences which are not so authorised, or c both. 4 In this section— “ relevant day pupil ” means a pupil registered at a maintained school who is of compulsory school age and is not a boarder; ... Exclusion of pupils Power of head teacher to exclude pupils. 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exclusion of pupils: duty to inform parents, etc. 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Functions of governing body in relation to excluded pupils. 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appeals against exclusion of pupils. 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exclusion of pupils: guidance. 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter VI Religious education etc and worship Designation of schools: Wales Designation of schools with a religious character: Wales 68A 1 For the purposes of this Part and the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 a foundation or voluntary school in Wales has a religious character if it is designated as a school having such a character by an order made by the Welsh Ministers. 2 An order under subsection (1) must state the religion or religious denomination in accordance with whose tenets provision in the school’s curriculum in respect of Religion, Values and Ethics is, or may be, required to be designed and implemented under the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (or, as the case may be, each such religion or religious denomination). 3 The procedure to be followed in connection with— a the designation of a school in an order under subsection (1), and b the statement required by subsection (2), may be specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers. 4 Any order made under section 69(3) in respect of a foundation or voluntary school in Wales that has effect immediately before the coming into force of this section continues to have effect until revoked. 5 Where an order continues to have effect under subsection (4)— a the order is to be treated for all purposes as being an order made under this section, b the school designated by the order is to be treated for all purposes as being designated under this section, and c any references in the order to religious education are to be treated as being references to Religion, Values and Ethics. Religious education : England Duty to secure due provision of religious education : England . 69 1 Subject to section 71, in relation to any community, foundation or voluntary school in England — a the local authority and the governing body shall exercise their functions with a view to securing, and b the head teacher shall secure, that religious education is given in accordance with the provision for such education included in the school’s basic curriculum by virtue of section 80(1)(a) ... of the Education Act 2002 . 2 Schedule 19 has effect for determining the provision for religious education which is required by section 80(1)(a) ... of that Act to be included in the basic curriculum of schools within each of the following categories, namely— a community schools and foundation and voluntary schools in England which do not have a religious character, b foundation and voluntary controlled schools in England which have a religious character, and c voluntary aided schools in England which have a religious character. 3 For the purposes of this Part a foundation or voluntary school in England has a religious character if it is designated as a school having such a character by an order made by the Secretary of State. 4 An order under subsection (3) shall state, in relation to each school designated by the order, the religion or religious denomination in accordance with whose tenets religious education is, or may be, required to be provided at the school in accordance with Schedule 19 (or, as the case may be, each such religion or religious denomination). 5 The procedure to be followed in connection with— a the designation of a school in an order under subsection (3), and b the inclusion in such an order, in relation to a school, of the statement required by subsection (4), shall be specified in regulations. Religious worship Requirements relating to collective worship. 70 1 Subject to section 71, each pupil in attendance at a community, foundation or voluntary school shall on each school day take part in an act of collective worship. 2 Subject to section 71, in relation to any community, foundation or voluntary school— a the local authority and the governing body shall exercise their functions with a view to securing, and b the head teacher shall secure, that subsection (1) is complied with. 3 Schedule 20 makes further provision with respect to the collective worship required by this section, including provision relating to— a the arrangements which are to be made in connection with such worship, and b the nature of such worship. Exceptions and special arrangements etc. Exceptions and special arrangements; provision for special schools. 71 1 If the parent of a pupil at a community, foundation or voluntary school in England requests that he may be wholly or partly excused from receiving religious education given at the school in accordance with the school's basic curriculum, the pupil shall be so excused until the request is withdrawn. 1A If the parent of any pupil at a community, foundation or voluntary school other than a sixth-form pupil requests that he may be wholly or partly excused from attendance at religious worship at the school, the pupil shall be so excused until the request is withdrawn. 1B If a sixth-form pupil requests that he may be wholly or partly excused from attendance at religious worship at a community, foundation or voluntary school, the pupil shall be so excused. 2 In subsections (1) to (1B) — a the reference to religious education given in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum is to such education given in accordance with the provision included in the school’s basic curriculum by virtue of section 80(1)(a) ... of the Education Act 2002 , and b the reference to religious worship in the school includes religious worship which by virtue of paragraph 2(6) of Schedule 20 takes place otherwise than on the school premises. 3 Where in accordance with subsection (1) or (1A) a pupil has been wholly or partly excused from receiving religious education or from attendance at religious worship and the local authority are satisfied— a that the parent of the pupil desires him to receive religious education of a kind which is not provided in the school during the periods of time during which he is so excused, b that the pupil cannot with reasonable convenience be sent to another community, foundation or voluntary school where religious education of the kind desired by the parent is provided, and c that arrangements have been made for him to receive religious education of that kind during school hours elsewhere, the pupil may be withdrawn from the school during such periods of time as are reasonably necessary for the purpose of enabling him to receive religious education in accordance with the arrangements. 4 A pupil may not be withdrawn from school under subsection (3) unless the local authority are satisfied that the arrangements there mentioned are such as will not interfere with the attendance of the pupil at school on any day except at the beginning or end of a school session (or, if there is only one, the school session) on that day. 5 Where the parent of a pupil who is a boarder at a community, foundation or voluntary school and is not a sixth-form pupil requests that the pupil be permitted— a to receive religious education in accordance with the tenets of a particular religion or religious denomination outside school hours, or b to attend worship in accordance with such tenets on Sundays or other days exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his parent belongs, the governing body shall make arrangements for giving the pupil reasonable opportunities for doing so. 5A Where a sixth-form pupil who is a boarder at a community, foundation or voluntary school requests that he be permitted— a to receive religious education in accordance with the tenets of a particular religion or religious denomination outside school hours, or b to attend worship in accordance with such tenets on Sundays or other days exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the pupil belongs, the governing body shall make arrangements for giving the pupil reasonable opportunities for doing so. 6 Arrangements under subsection (5) or (5A) may provide for making facilities for such education or worship available on the school premises, but any expenditure entailed by the arrangements shall not be met from the school’s budget share or otherwise by the local authority . 7 Regulations shall make provision for ensuring that, so far as practicable, every pupil attending a community or foundation special school in England — a receives religious education unless withdrawn from receiving such education in accordance with the wishes of his parent, and b attends religious worship unless withdrawn from attendance at such worship— i in the case of a sixth-form pupil, in accordance with his own wishes, and ii in any other case, in accordance with the wishes of his parent. 7A Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers shall make provision for ensuring that, so far as practicable, every pupil attending a community or foundation special school in Wales attends religious worship unless withdrawn from attendance at such worship— a in the case of a sixth-form pupil, in accordance with the pupil’s own wishes, and b in any other case, in accordance with the wishes of the pupil’s parent. 8 In this section “ sixth-form pupil ” means any pupil who— a has ceased to be of compulsory school age, and b is receiving education suitable to the requirements of pupils over compulsory school age. Chapter VII Miscellaneous and supplemental Further provisions relating to new schools Further provisions relating to new schools. 72 1 Regulations may make provision for— a the staffing and conduct of a new school in advance of the school opening date; b the determination of matters in connection with a new school in advance of that date; c the taking of decisions by a temporary governing body, or (where power to do so is delegated to him) by the head teacher, as to expenditure in connection with a new school at a time when it does not have a delegated budget; d such other matters relating to new schools as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may, in connection with any matters falling within that subsection, apply any provision of the Education Acts with or without modification. 3 In this section “ new school ” means a school or proposed school— a for which there is a temporary governing body constituted under section 34 of the Education Act 2002 , or b for which there is no such body but for which such a body— i are required to be so constituted by virtue of subsection (1) of that section, or ii may be so constituted in accordance with such anticipatory arrangements as are mentioned in subsection (5)(a) of that section. Transfers of staff and land Transfer of staff on appointed day. 73 1 Subsections (5) to (7) below (“ the staff transfer provisions ”) apply where on the appointed day— a a special agreement school becomes a voluntary aided school, or b a grant-maintained school becomes a community or voluntary controlled school, or c a grant-maintained special school becomes a community special school, in accordance with Schedule 2. 2 Subject to subsection (3), the staff transfer provisions apply in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) to any person who immediately before the appointed day— a is employed by the local authority to work solely at an existing school within subsection (1)(a), or b is employed by the local authority to work at such an existing school and is designated for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Secretary of State, or c is employed by the governing body of an existing school within subsection (1)(b) or (c). 3 The staff transfer provisions do not apply— a to any person employed as mentioned in subsection (2) whose contract of employment terminates on the day immediately preceding the appointed day; or b to any person employed as mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b) who before that day— i has been appointed or assigned by the local authority to work solely at another school as from that day, or ii has been withdrawn from work at the school with effect from that day. 4 A person who before the appointed day has been appointed or assigned by— a the local authority , or b the governing body of an existing school within subsection (1)(b) or (c), to work at a school, or (as the case may be) at the existing school, as from that day shall be treated for the purposes of this section as if he had been employed by the authority or governing body immediately before that day to do such work at the school as he would have been required to do on or after that day under his contract of employment with the authority or that body. 5 The contract of employment between a person to whom the staff transfer provisions apply and his former employer shall have effect from the appointed day as if originally made between him and his new employer. 6 Without prejudice to subsection (5)— a all the former employer’s rights, powers, duties and liabilities under or in connection with the contract of employment shall by virtue of this section be transferred to the new employer on the appointed day, and b anything done before that date by or in relation to the former employer in respect of that contract or the employee shall be deemed from that day to have been done by or in relation to the new employer. 7 Subsections (5) and (6) are without prejudice to any right of an employee to terminate his contract of employment if a substantial change is made to his detriment in his working conditions, but no such right shall arise by reason only of the change in employer effected by this section. 8 In this section— “ existing school ” means a school which becomes a school of a different category on the appointed day as mentioned in subsection (1), and “ new school ” means the school of a different category which an existing school then becomes; “ the former employer ” and “ the new employer ”— where the staff transfer provisions apply by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b), means the local authority and the governing body of the new school respectively, and where the staff transfer provisions apply by virtue of subsection (2)(c), means the governing body of the existing school and the local authority respectively; and references to a special agreement, grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school are references to such a school within the meaning of the Education Act 1996. 9 A person employed by a local authority in connection with the provision of meals shall not be regarded for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) as employed to work solely at a school unless the meals are provided solely for consumption by persons at the school. 10 An order under this section may designate a person either individually or as a member of a class or description of employees. Transfer of land on appointed day. 74 Schedule 21 (which makes provision for transfers of land and certain rights and liabilities on the appointed day in respect of schools which become community, foundation, voluntary or community special schools on that day) shall have effect. Transfer of land by governing body to trustees. 75 1 Where a building is to be provided for a foundation or voluntary school and the building— a is to form part of the school premises, and b is to be constructed partly on land held by the governing body and partly on land held on trust for the purposes of the school by persons other than the governing body, the governing body shall transfer to those persons the land held by the governing body on which the building is to be constructed. 2 Paragraph A1 or 1 of Schedule 22 does not apply to any transfer required by subsection (1). Disposals of land and on discontinuance Disposals of land in case of certain schools and disposals on discontinuance. 76 Schedule 22 (which makes provision as to the disposal of land held for the purposes of foundation, voluntary or foundation special schools and as to the property of maintained schools on their discontinuance) shall have effect. Control of disposals or changes in use of school playing fields. 77 1 Subject to subsections (2A) and (2B), except with the consent of the Secretary of State, a body or trustees to whom this subsection applies shall not dispose of any playing fields— a which are, immediately before the date of the disposal, used by a maintained school for the purposes of the school, or b which are not then so used but have been so used at any time within the period of 10 years ending with that date. 2 Subsection (1) applies to— a a local authority; b the governing body of a maintained school; c a foundation body; d the trustees of a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school. 2A Subsection (1) applies in the case of a disposal by the trustees of a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school, only if the disposal is of land falling within paragraph A13(1), (2) or (3) of Schedule 22. 2B Subsection (1) does not apply— a to a disposal in pursuance of a transfer order under paragraph A23 of that Schedule, ... b to a disposal to which paragraph 5 or 6 of Schedule 22 (disposals on discontinuance) applies or c to a disposal in pursuance of— i a transfer scheme under paragraph 1 or 2 of Schedule 1 to the Academies Act 2010 (transfer to person concerned with running of Academy), or ii a direction under paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to that Act (direction to transfer to local authority or person concerned with running of Academy school , where Academy order made). 3 Subject to subsection (4A), except with the consent of the Secretary of State, a body or trustees to whom subsection (1) applies shall not take any action (other than the making of a disposal which falls within subsection (1) or is excluded from that subsection by subsection (2B)(a), (b) or (c) ) which is intended or likely to result in a change of use of any playing fields— a which are, immediately before the date when the action is taken, used by a maintained school for the purposes of the school, or b which are not then so used but have been so used at any time within the period of 10 years ending with that date, whereby the playing fields will be used for purposes which do not consist of or include their use as playing fields by such a school for the purposes of the school , or by an Academy school for the purposes of the Academy school . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Subsection (3) applies in relation to the trustees of a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school only if the playing fields in question are land falling within paragraph A13(1), (2) or (3) of Schedule 22. 4B On receiving an application for consent under subsection (1) or (3), the Secretary of State may direct that the playing fields, or any part of them, be transferred to a person concerned with the running of an Academy school , subject to the payment by that person or the Secretary of State of such sum by way of consideration (if any) as the Secretary of State determines to be appropriate. 5 For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State’s consent may be given in relation to a particular disposal or change of use or generally in relation to disposals or changes of use of a particular description, and in either case may be given subject to conditions. 6 This section has effect despite anything in section 123 or 127 of the Local Government Act 1972 (general power to dispose of land) or in any other enactment; and any consent which a local authority are required to obtain by virtue of this section shall be in addition to any consent required by virtue of either of those sections. 7 In this section— “local authority” includes— a non-metropolitan district council for an area for which there is a county council, and a parish council; “ maintained school ” includes a maintained nursery school; “ playing fields ” means land in the open air which is provided for the purposes of physical education or recreation, other than any prescribed description of such land. 8 For the purposes of this section any reference to a maintained school includes, in relation to any time falling before the appointed day, a reference to the school as— a a county, voluntary or maintained special school, or b a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school, within the meaning of the Education Act 1996. 9 Nothing in this section applies in relation to Wales. Rating Rating of maintained schools. 78 For the purposes of Part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (non-domestic rating) the occupier of any hereditament so far as consisting of the premises of a maintained school shall be taken to be— a the local authority , where it is a community, voluntary controlled or community special school; or b the governing body, where it is a foundation, voluntary aided or foundation special school. Stamp duty Stamp duty. 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stamp duty land tax 79A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further education Provision of further education. 80 1 The governing body of any maintained school shall be responsible for determining whether or not to provide— a part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons of any age over compulsory school age; or b full-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who have attained the age of 19; but the governing body of a community or foundation special school shall not determine to provide, or to cease to provide, such education without the consent of the local authority . 2 It shall be the duty of the governing body of any such school which provides such education to secure that, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed, such education is not provided at any time in a room where pupils are at that time being taught. 3 This section shall not apply to part-time education provided under a partnership arrangement to which section 60A of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (as inserted by section 125(4) of this Act) applies. Modification of employment law Application of employment law during financial delegation. 81 1 The Secretary of State may by order make such modifications in any enactment relating to employment, and in particular in any enactment— a conferring powers or imposing duties on employers, b conferring rights on employees, or c otherwise regulating the relations between employers and employees, as he considers necessary or expedient in consequence of the operation of sections 35 to 37 of the Education Act 2002 or of regulations under those sections . 2 Before making any order under this section the Secretary of State shall consult— a such associations of local authorities, b such bodies representing the interests of governors of foundation or voluntary schools, and c such organisations representing staff in maintained schools, as appear to him to be concerned. Supplementary provisions Modification of trust deeds. 82 1 The Secretary of State may by order make such modifications of any trust deed or other instrument relating to— a a school which is or is to become a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school, or b property held on trust for the purposes of such a school, as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in connection with the operation of any provision of this Act , the Learning and Skills Act 2000 , the Education Act 2002 , the Education and Inspections Act 2006 , the Academies Act 2010 or the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 or anything done under or for the purposes of any such provision. 2 Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State shall consult— a the governing body of the school in question; b any trustees holding property on trust for the purposes of the school; c in the case of a Church of England, Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, the appropriate diocesan authority; and d such other persons as he considers appropriate. 3 Any modification made by an order under this section may be made so as to have permanent effect or to have effect for such period as is specified in the order. Modification of provisions making governors of foundation or voluntary school ex officio trustees. 83 1 Where any provision of a trust deed or other instrument made before 1st July 1981 would, apart from this subsection, have the effect that the persons who are for the time being governors of a foundation or voluntary school were by virtue of their office trustees of any property held for the purposes of, or in connection with, the school, that provision shall instead have effect as if the only governors of the school were— a the foundation governors, b those appointed by the local authority , and c any co-opted governor nominated by a minor authority. 2 Subsection (1) is without prejudice to any power to amend any such provision as is mentioned in that subsection. Part III School admissions Chapter I Admission arrangements Code for school admissions Code for school admissions . 84 1 The Secretary of State shall issue, and may from time to time revise, a code for school admissions containing such provision as he thinks appropriate in respect of the discharge by— a local authorities , b the governing bodies of maintained schools, ba admission forums, c appeal panels, and d adjudicators, of their respective functions under this Chapter. 2 The code may impose requirements, and may include guidelines setting out aims, objectives and other matters, in relation to the discharge of their functions under this Chapter by local authorities and such governing bodies. 3 It shall be the duty of— a each of the bodies and persons mentioned in subsection (1) when exercising functions under this Chapter, and b any other person when exercising any function for the purposes of the discharge by a local authority , or the governing body of a maintained school, of functions under this Chapter, to act in accordance with any relevant provisions of the code. 4 The Secretary of State shall publish the code as for the time being in force. 5 The Secretary of State may under subsection (1)— a make separate provision (by means of separate codes ...) in relation to different functions under this Chapter of the bodies and persons mentioned in that subsection; b make different provision for England and for Wales (whether or not by means of separate codes ...); and references in this section to “the code” or to functions under this Chapter shall have effect, in relation to any such separate code ..., as references to that code or to functions under this Chapter to which it relates (as the case may be). 6 In this Chapter— “ admission arrangements ” and “ the admission authority ” have the meaning given by section 88; “ admission forum ” means a forum established under section 85A, including a joint admission forum established in pursuance of regulations under subsection (3)(c) of that section; “ appeal panel ” means a panel constituted in accordance with regulations under section 94(5) or 95(3) for the purpose of hearing an appeal under this Chapter; “ child ” includes a person who has not attained the age of 19, except in sections 96 and 97 in so far as those sections apply in relation to Wales; “ maintained school ” means a community, foundation or voluntary school; ... 7 In this Chapter, references to a child who is looked after by a local authority are to be read— a in relation to a local authority in England, in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act 1989; b in relation to a local authority in Wales, in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Making and approval of code for school admissions . 85 1 Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue or revise a code ... under section 84, he shall prepare a draft of the code (or revised code). 2 The Secretary of State shall consult such persons about the draft as he thinks fit and shall consider any representations made by them. 3 If he determines to proceed with the draft (either in its original form or with such modifications as he thinks fit) he shall lay a copy of the draft before each House of Parliament. 4 If, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft, the Secretary of State shall take no further steps in relation to the proposed code. 5 If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period, the Secretary of State shall issue the code (or revised code) in the form of the draft, and it shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order appoint. 6 Subsection (4) does not prevent a new draft of a proposed code from being laid before Parliament. 7 In this section “ 40-day period ”, in relation to the draft of a proposed code, means— a if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and b in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House, no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days. 7A In the case of a code issued or revised by the Welsh Ministers, subsection (7) (as modified by paragraph 33 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) has effect as if the reference to any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days were to any period during which the National Assembly for Wales is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days. 8 In this section references to a proposed code include a proposed revised code. Admission forums Admission forums 85A 1 A local authority in Wales shall in accordance with regulations establish for their area a body, to be known as an admission forum, for the purpose of— a advising the authority on such matters connected with the exercise of the authority’s functions under this Chapter as may be prescribed, and b advising the admission authorities for maintained schools in the area for which the forum is established on— i such matters connected with the determination of admission arrangements, and ii such other matters connected with the admission of pupils, as may be prescribed , ... c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The authority may establish sub-committees of the forum. 3 Regulations may make provision— a as to the constitution, meetings and proceedings of an admission forum and of any such sub-committee, b as to the manner in which advice is to be given by a forum, ... ba ... and c as to the establishment by local authorities of joint admission forums. 3A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The bodies mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) shall have regard, in carrying out their functions, to any relevant advice given to them by an admission forum under that subsection. 5 The local authority shall make arrangements for the forum (and any sub-committee established under subsection (2)) to be provided with accommodation and with such services as the authority consider appropriate. 5A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Functions of admission forums in relation to Academies 85B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parental preferences Parental preferences. 86 1 A local authority shall make arrangements for enabling the parent of a child in the area of the authority— a to express a preference as to the school at which he wishes education to be provided for his child in the exercise of the authority’s functions, and b to give reasons for his preference. 1ZA Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to— a sixth form education, or b any other education to be provided for a child who— i has ceased to be of compulsory school age, or ii will have ceased to be of compulsory school age before the education is provided for him. 1A A local authority in England shall provide advice and assistance to parents of children in the area of the authority in connection with the preferences expressed or to be expressed by them in accordance with the arrangements made under subsection (1). 2 Subject to subsection (3) and section 87 (children excluded from two or more schools), the admission authority for a maintained school shall comply with any preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under subsection (1). 2A Arrangements made under subsection (1) may allow the parent of a child to express preferences for more than one school; but nothing in this section requires the admission authority for a maintained school for which a child’s parent has expressed a preference to offer the child admission to the school if, in accordance with a scheme adopted or made by virtue of section 89B, the child is offered admission to a different school for which the parent has also expressed a preference. 3 The duty imposed by subsection (2) does not apply— a if compliance with the preference would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources; or b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c if the arrangements for admission to the preferred school— i are wholly based on selection by reference to ability or aptitude, and ii are so based with a view to admitting only pupils with high ability or with aptitude, and compliance with the preference would be incompatible with selection under those arrangements. 3A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 For the purposes of subsection (3)(a) prejudice of the kind referred to in that provision may arise by reason of measures required to be taken in order to ensure compliance with the duty imposed by section 1(6) (duty of local authority and governing body to comply with limit on infant class sizes). 5 No prejudice shall be taken to arise for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) from the admission to a maintained school in a school year of a number of pupils in a relevant age group which does not exceed the number determined under section 88C or 89 as the number of pupils in that age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year; but this subsection does not apply if the conditions set out in subsection (5A) are met in relation to the school and the school year. 5A Those conditions are— a that the school is one at which boarding accommodation is provided for pupils; and b that the determination under section 88C or 89 by the admission authority of the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year includes the determinations mentioned in section 88D(2)(a) and (b) or 89A(2)(a) and (b) . 5B Where the conditions set out in subsection (5A) are met in relation to a maintained school and a school year, no prejudice shall be taken to arise for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) from either of the following— a the admission to the school in that year as boarders of a number of pupils in a relevant age group which does not exceed the number determined under section 88C or 89 as the number of pupils in that age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year as boarders; b the admission to the school in that year otherwise than as boarders of a number of pupils in a relevant age group which does not exceed the number determined under section 88C or 89 as the number of pupils in that age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year otherwise than as boarders. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Where the arrangements for the admission of pupils to a maintained school provide for applications for admission to be made to (or to a person acting on behalf of) the governing body of the school, a parent who makes such an application shall be regarded for the purposes of this section as having expressed a preference for that school in accordance with arrangements made under subsection (1). 8 The duty imposed by subsection (2) in relation to a preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under subsection (1) shall apply also in relation to— a any application for the admission to a maintained school of a child who is not in the area of the authority maintaining the school, and b any application made by a parent as mentioned in section 438(4) or 440(2) of the Education Act 1996 (application for a particular school to be named in a school attendance order); and references in subsection (3) to a preference and a preferred school shall be construed accordingly. 9 Where admission arrangements for a school , ..., provide for all pupils selected under the arrangements to be selected by reference to ability or aptitude, those arrangements shall be taken for the purposes of this section to be wholly based on selection by reference to ability or aptitude, whether or not they also provide for the use of additional criteria in circumstances where the number of children in a relevant age group who are assessed to be of the requisite ability or aptitude is greater than the number of pupils which it is intended to admit to the school in that age group. Preferences relating to sixth-form education: local authority arrangements 86A 1 A local authority shall make arrangements for enabling— a a child in the authority's area to express a preference as to the school at which he wishes sixth form education to be provided for him in the exercise of the authority's functions, b a parent of such a child to express a preference as to the school at which he wishes sixth form education to be so provided for his child, c a relevant child to express a preference as to the school at which he wishes education other than sixth form education to be provided for him in the exercise of the authority's functions, and d a parent of such a child to express a preference as to the school at which he wishes such education to be so provided for his child, and, in each case, for enabling the person expressing the preference to give reasons for his preference. 2 In subsection (1), “ relevant child ”, in relation to a local authority and any education, means a child in the authority's area who— a has ceased to be of compulsory school age, or b will have ceased to be of compulsory school age before the education in question is provided for him. 3 Arrangements made under subsection (1) shall allow— a a person who is to be able to express a preference under any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of that subsection to express preferences for more than one school; b preferences to be expressed, in relation to a child, by both the child and a parent of his. 4 Where— a the arrangements for the admission of pupils to a maintained school provide for applications for admission to be made to (or to a person acting on behalf of) the governing body of the school, and b a child (whether or not in the area of the authority maintaining the school) or his parent makes such an application, that person shall be regarded for the purposes of this Chapter as having expressed a preference for that school in accordance with arrangements made under subsection (1). Duty in relation to preferences expressed under section 86A: admission authorities of maintained schools 86B 1 Subject to subsections (2) and (4) and section 87, the admission authority for a maintained school shall comply with any preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under section 86A(1). 2 The duty imposed by subsection (1) does not apply if compliance with the preference would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. 3 Subsections (5) to (5B) of section 86 apply for the purpose of determining whether any prejudice should be taken to arise for the purposes of subsection (2), but with the substitution of references to that subsection for references to subsection (3)(a) of section 86. 4 The duty imposed by subsection (1) does not apply in a case where a preference is expressed in relation to sixth form education if— a the relevant selection arrangements for the preferred school are wholly based on selection by reference to ability or aptitude, and b compliance with the preference would be incompatible with selection under those arrangements. 5 Where the relevant selection arrangements for a school provide for all pupils selected under the arrangements to be selected by reference to ability or aptitude, those arrangements shall be taken for the purposes of subsection (4)(a) to be wholly based on selection by reference to ability or aptitude whether or not they also provide for the use of additional criteria in circumstances where the number of children in a relevant age group who are assessed to be of the requisite ability or aptitude is greater than the number of pupils which it is intended to admit to the school in that age group. 6 In this section “ the relevant selection arrangements ”, in relation to a school, means— a the arrangements for admission to the school for sixth form education, or b those arrangements and the arrangements for entry to the sixth form of children who have been admitted to the school. No requirement to admit children permanently excluded from two or more schools. 87 1 The duties imposed by section 86(2) and section 86B(1) do not apply in the case of a child to whom subsection (2) below applies. 2 Where a child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools, this subsection applies to him during the period of two years beginning with the date on which the latest of those exclusions took effect. 3 Subsection (2) applies to a child whatever the length of the period or periods elapsing between those exclusions and regardless of whether it has applied to him on a previous occasion. 3A A child who has been permanently excluded from a school in England shall not be treated for the purposes of this section as having been so excluded if any of the following applies— a the child was reinstated as a pupil at the school following a direction from the responsible body— i in accordance with regulations under subsection (3)(b) of section 51A of the Education Act 2002; ii following a recommendation from the review panel that the responsible body reconsiders the matter under subsection (4)(b) of that section; b the child would have been reinstated as a pupil at the school following a direction from the responsible body as described in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii), if it had been practical for the responsible body to give such a direction; c the review panel has quashed a decision of the responsible body not to reinstate the child as a pupil at the school under subsection (4)(c) of section 51A of the Education Act 2002; d the child was so excluded at a time when the child had not attained compulsory school age. 3B In subsection (3A) “ the responsible body ” has the same meaning as in section 51A of the Education Act 2002. 4 ... A child who has been permanently excluded from a school in Wales shall not be treated for the purposes of this section as having been so excluded if— a he was reinstated as a pupil at the school following the giving of a direction to that effect by the relevant authority in accordance with regulations under subsection (3)(b) or (c) of section 52 of the Education Act 2002, b on a review of his exclusion carried out in accordance with regulations under subsection (3)(b) of that section or an appeal made pursuant to regulations under subsection (3)(c) of that section, the relevant authority decided— i that it would not be practical to give a direction requiring his reinstatement as a pupil at the school, but ii that it would otherwise have been appropriate to give such a direction, or c he was so excluded at a time when he had not attained compulsory school age. 4A In subsection (4) “ the relevant authority ” means— a the responsible body as defined by subsection (5) of section 52 of the Education Act 2002, or b a panel constituted in accordance with regulations under subsection (3)(c) of that section. 5 In this section “ school ” means— a in relation to any time before or after the appointed day, a school maintained by a local authority ; or b in relation to any time before the appointed day, a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school within the meaning of the Education Act 1996. 6 For the purposes of this section the permanent exclusion of a child from a school shall be regarded as having taken effect on the school day as from which the head teacher decided that he should be permanently excluded. 7 Nothing in this section applies to a child unless at least one of the two or more exclusions mentioned in subsection (2) took effect on or after 1st September 1997. Admission arrangements Admission authorities and admission arrangements. 88 1 In this Chapter “ the admission authority ”— a in relation to a community or voluntary controlled school, means— i the local authority , or ii where with the governing body’s agreement the authority have delegated to them responsibility for determining the admission arrangements for the school, the governing body; ... b in relation to a foundation or voluntary aided school, means the governing body ; and c in relation to an Academy school , means the proprietor of the Academy school . 1A Where the admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school is the local authority , it is the duty of the governing body to implement any decision relating to the admission of pupils to the school which is taken by or on behalf of the admission authority. 1B Subsection (1A) does not affect— a any right of appeal which the governing body may have by virtue of arrangements made in pursuance of section 95(2) (appeals in relation to children to whom section 87(2) applies, other than looked after children in England), b any right to refer the matter to the adjudicator which the governing body may have by virtue of section 95A(3) (references to the adjudicator in relation to looked after children in England to whom section 87(2) applies), or c the application of section 101(2A) or section 109(2). 2 In this Chapter “ admission arrangements ”, in relation to a ... school, means the arrangements for the admission of pupils to the school, including the school’s admission policy. Admission arrangements: England Prohibition on interviews 88A 1 No admission arrangements for a maintained school in England may require or authorise any interview with an applicant for admission to the school or his parents, where the interview is to be taken into account (to any extent) in determining whether the applicant is to be admitted to the school. 2 If the maintained school is one at which boarding accommodation is provided for pupils, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any interview intended to assess the suitability of an applicant for a boarding place. 3 Where the admission arrangements for a maintained school in England make provision for a permitted form of selection by aptitude, subsection (1) does not prevent the arrangements from requiring or authorising any audition or other oral or practical test to be carried out in relation to an applicant solely for the purpose of ascertaining the applicant's aptitude in accordance with the arrangements. 4 In this section, “ permitted form of selection by aptitude ” is to be read in accordance with section 99(4). Admission arrangements relating to children looked after by local authority 88B 1 Regulations may require the admission authorities for maintained schools in England to include in their admission arrangements such provision relating to the admission of children who are looked after by a local authority in England as may be prescribed. 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular include provision for securing that, subject to sections 86(3), 86B(2) and (4) and 87, such children are to be offered admission in preference to other children. Procedure for determining admission arrangements 88C 1 The admission authority for a maintained school in England must, before the beginning of each school year, determine in accordance with this section the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year. 2 The admission authority must, before determining the admission arrangements that are to apply for a year, carry out such consultation about the proposed arrangements as may be prescribed. 3 Regulations under subsection (2) may in particular make provision— a specifying persons who must be consulted, or who must be consulted about prescribed provisions of proposed arrangements; b specifying provisions of proposed arrangements about which any such consultation is to be carried out; c specifying matters to which any such consultation is, or is not, to relate; d as to the manner in which, and the time by which, any such consultation is to be carried out. 4 When the admission authority have determined the admission arrangements that are to apply for a year, they must notify the appropriate bodies of those admission arrangements. 5 Regulations may make provision— a as to the manner in which, and the time by which, any such notification is to be given; b specifying cases in which subsection (4) does not apply. Determination of admission numbers 88D 1 A determination under section 88C by the admission authority for a maintained school in England of the admission arrangements which are to apply for a school year must include a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year. 2 Such a determination under section 88C may also, if the school is one at which boarding accommodation is provided for pupils, include— a a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year as boarders, and b a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year otherwise than as boarders. 3 Regulations may make provision about the making of any determination required by subsection (1), and may in particular require the admission authority for a maintained school to have regard, in making any such determination, to— a any prescribed method of calculation, and b any other prescribed matter. 4 References in this section to the determination of any number include references to the determination of zero as that number. Variation of admission arrangements 88E 1 Subsection (2) applies where an admission authority— a have in accordance with section 88C determined the admission arrangements which are to apply for a particular school year, but b at any time before the end of that year consider that the arrangements should be varied in view of a major change in circumstances occurring since they were so determined. 2 The authority must— a refer their proposed variations to the adjudicator, and b notify the appropriate bodies of the proposed variations. 3 Subsection (2)(a) does not apply in a case where the authority's proposed variations fall within any description of variations prescribed for the purposes of this subsection. 4 Where the local authority are the admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school, they must consult the governing body before making any reference under subsection (2)(a). 5 On a reference under subsection (2)(a), the adjudicator must consider whether the admission arrangements should have effect with the proposed variations until the end of the school year in question. 6 If the adjudicator determines— a that the arrangements should so have effect, or b that they should so have effect subject to such modification of those variations as the adjudicator may determine, the arrangements are to have effect accordingly as from the date of the adjudicator's determination. 7 Where the adjudicator makes a determination under subsection (6), the admission authority must notify the appropriate bodies of the variations subject to which the arrangements are to have effect. 8 Regulations may make provision— a as to the manner in which, and the time by which, any such notification is to be given; b specifying cases in which subsection (7) does not apply. 9 Regulations may make provision— a specifying matters which are, or are not, to constitute major changes in circumstances for the purposes of subsection (1)(b); b authorising an admission authority, where they have in accordance with section 88C determined the admission arrangements which are to apply for a particular school year, to vary those arrangements to such extent or in such circumstances as may be prescribed; c for the application of any of the requirements of, or imposed under, subsections (2) to (8) to variations proposed to be made by virtue of paragraph (b), or to any prescribed description of such variations, as if they were variations proposed to be made under subsection (1). Sections 88C to 88E: supplementary 88F 1 Regulations may make provision— a requiring an admission authority who have made a determination of a prescribed description under section 88C to publish such information relating to the determination (including information as to the authority's reasons for making the determination) as may be prescribed; b as to such other matters connected with the procedure for determining or varying admission arrangements under sections 88C to 88E as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. 2 The power under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) to require an admission authority to publish information includes power to require them to publish it— a by giving a notice containing the information to prescribed persons, or b in any other prescribed manner. 3 In sections 88C and 88E, the “ appropriate bodies ”, in relation to an admission authority, means— a whichever of the governing body and the local authority are not the admission authority, b the admission authorities for all other maintained schools in the relevant area or for such class of schools as may be prescribed; c the governing bodies for all community and voluntary controlled schools in the relevant area (so far as not falling within paragraph (a) or (b)), d the admission authorities for maintained schools in England of any prescribed description, e in the case of a foundation or voluntary school which has a religious character for the purposes of Part 2, such body or person representing the religion or religious denomination in question as may be prescribed, f ... and g such other persons as may be prescribed. 4 In subsection (3), “ the relevant area ” means— a the area of the local authority in which the school in question is situated, or b if regulations so provide, such other area in England (whether more or less extensive than the area of the local authority ) as may be determined by or in accordance with the regulations. Power to restrict alteration of admission arrangements following establishment or expansion 88G 1 Subsection (2) applies in relation to a maintained school in England where— a proposals for the establishment of, or the making of a prescribed alteration to, the school have been published under Part 2 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 or under section 113A of, or Schedule 7 to, the Learning and Skills Act 2000, b in the case of proposals for the making of a prescribed alteration to the school, the proposals are for an increase in the number of pupils that may be admitted to the school or for an enlargement of the premises, c the proposals fall to be implemented (with or without modifications), and d prescribed conditions are satisfied. 2 Regulations may provide that, where this subsection applies in relation to a maintained school— a the admission arrangements for the initial period and each of a prescribed number of school years following that period are to be the arrangements which fall to be implemented in accordance with the proposals (or in accordance with the proposals as modified), and b those arrangements may not be varied by the admission authority for the school except— i to comply with any duty imposed on them by regulations under section 88B, or ii in accordance with regulations under subsection (5). 3 Regulations under subsection (2) may exclude or modify any provision of section 88C, 88E or 88F in its application to cases to which the regulations apply. 4 Regulations under subsection (2) may provide that in cases to which the regulations apply the admission arrangements which fall to be implemented in accordance with the proposals (or in accordance with the proposals as modified) are to be treated for the purposes of section 86(5) to (5B) as having been determined by the admission authority under section 88C. 5 Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which an admission authority may refer to the adjudicator proposals to vary admission arrangements in cases to which regulations under subsection (2) apply. 6 Regulations may make provision as to the determination by the adjudicator of any reference made by virtue of subsection (5). 7 In this section— “ initial period ” means— in relation to a maintained school which is being established, the period beginning with the day on which the school opens and ending with the beginning of the first school term to begin after the following July; in relation to a maintained school which is increasing the number of pupils that may be admitted to the school or enlarging its premises, the period beginning with the first day on which additional pupils may be admitted or (as the case may be) the enlarged premises are in use and ending with the beginning of the first school term to begin after the following July; “ prescribed alteration ” means an alteration prescribed for the purposes of section 18 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Reference of objections to adjudicator 88H 1 This section applies where admission arrangements have been determined by an admission authority for a maintained school in England under section 88C. 1A This section also applies where admission arrangements for an Academy school have been determined by the proprietor of an Academy school under Academy arrangements. 2 Where— a a body or person wishes to make an objection about the admission arrangements, and b the objection does not fall within any description of objections prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, that body or person may refer the objection to the adjudicator. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 On a reference under subsection (2) ... the adjudicator must decide whether, and (if so) to what extent, the objection should be upheld. 5 Regulations may make provision— a as to any conditions which must be satisfied before— i an objection can be referred to the adjudicator under subsection (2) ..., or ii the adjudicator is required to determine an objection referred to him under subsection (2) ; b as to circumstances in which the adjudicator is not required to determine an objection under subsection (4); c prescribing the steps which may be taken by an admission authority where an objection has been referred to the adjudicator under subsection (2) ... but has not yet been determined. d prohibiting or restricting the reference under subsection (2) ..., within such period following a decision by the adjudicator under this section as may be prescribed, of any objection raising the same (or substantially the same) issues in relation to the admission arrangements of the school in question. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other functions of adjudicator relating to admission arrangements 88I 1 This section applies where admission arrangements have been determined — a by an admission authority for a maintained school in England under section 88C , or b by an admission authority for an Academy school . 2 Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the admission arrangements do not, or may not, conform with the requirements relating to admission arrangements, the Secretary of State may refer the admission arrangements to the adjudicator. 3 Subsection (4) applies where— a the Secretary of State refers the admission arrangements to the adjudicator under subsection (2), ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The adjudicator must— a consider the admission arrangements, and b decide whether they conform with those requirements and, if not, in what respect they do not. 5 Where it appears to the adjudicator that the admission arrangements do not, or may not, conform with the requirements relating to admission arrangements (and subsection (4) does not apply)— a the adjudicator may consider the admission arrangements, and b if the adjudicator considers the arrangements under paragraph (a), the adjudicator must decide whether they conform with those requirements and, if not, in what respect they do not. 6 Regulations may make provision prescribing the steps which may be taken by an admission authority where the adjudicator— a is considering the authority's admission arrangements under subsection (4)(a) or (5)(a), but b has not yet made a decision in the case under subsection (4)(b) or (5)(b) (as the case may be). Changes to admission arrangements 88J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sections 88H and 88I : supplementary 88K 1 Subsection (2) applies to any decision of the adjudicator— a under section 88H(4) on whether to uphold an objection to admission arrangements, or b under section 88I(4)(b) or (5)(b) on whether admission arrangements conform with the requirements relating to admission arrangements, ... c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Any decision of the adjudicator to which this subsection applies is binding on— a the admission authority in question, and b any other person or body. 3 Where the adjudicator makes a decision mentioned in subsection (1), the adjudicator must publish a report containing— a the adjudicator's decision on the objection or (as the case may be) on whether the admission arrangements conform with the requirements relating to admission arrangements, and b the reasons for that decision. 4 Regulations may make provision— a requiring an admission authority for a maintained school in England or an Academy school to provide information which— i falls within a prescribed description, and ii is requested by the adjudicator for the purposes of the exercise by the adjudicator of functions under sections 88H , 88I or this section or of enabling the adjudicator to decide whether to exercise the power conferred by section 88I(5); b as to the manner in which a report required to be published under subsection (3) is to be published; c requiring such matters to be notified to such persons, and in such manner, as may be prescribed; d prescribing circumstances in which an admission authority may revise the admission arrangements for their school in the light of any decision by the adjudicator relating to the admission arrangements for another school, and the procedure to be followed in such a case. 5 In section 88I and this section “ the requirements relating to admission arrangements ” means— a in relation to a maintained school, the requirements imposed by or under this Part as to the content of admission arrangements for maintained schools in England, and b in relation to an Academy school , the requirements imposed by or under Academy arrangements as to the content of its admission arrangements. Restriction on alteration of admission arrangements following adjudicator's decision 88L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-ordination of admission arrangements 88M 1 Regulations may require a local authority in England— a to formulate, for any academic year in relation to which prescribed conditions are satisfied, a qualifying scheme for co-ordinating the arrangements for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in their area, and b to take prescribed action with a view to securing the adoption of the scheme by themselves and each governing body who are the admission authority for a maintained school in their area. 2 Subject to subsection (3), the Secretary of State may make, in relation to the area of a local authority in England and an academic year, a scheme for co-ordinating the arrangements, or assisting in the co-ordination of the arrangements, for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in that area. 3 A scheme may not be made under subsection (2) in relation to a local authority and an academic year if, before the prescribed date in the year preceding the year in which that academic year commences— a a scheme formulated by the local authority in accordance with subsection (1) is adopted in the prescribed manner by the persons mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, and b the authority provide the Secretary of State with a copy of the scheme and inform the Secretary of State that the scheme has been so adopted. 4 Regulations may provide— a that each local authority in England must secure that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, no decision made by any admission authority for a maintained school in their area to offer or refuse a child admission to the school is to be communicated to the parent of the child except on a single day, designated by the local authority , in each year, or b that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, a decision made by the admission authority for a maintained school in England to offer or refuse a child admission to the school is not to be communicated to the parent of the child except on a prescribed day. 5 In this section “ academic year ” means a period commencing with 1st August and ending with the next 31st July; “ qualifying scheme ” means a scheme that meets prescribed requirements. 6 Nothing in this section applies in relation to arrangements for the admission to maintained schools of pupils— a who— i have ceased to be of compulsory school age, or ii will have ceased to be of compulsory school age before education is provided for them at the school, or b for the purpose of receiving sixth form education. Further provision about schemes adopted or made by virtue of section 88M 88N 1 Regulations may make provision about the contents of schemes under section 88M(2), including provision about the duties that may be imposed by such schemes on— a local authorities in England, and b the admission authorities for maintained schools in England. 2 Regulations may provide that where a local authority in England or the governing body of a maintained school in England have, in such manner as may be prescribed, adopted a scheme formulated by a local authority for the purpose mentioned in section 88M(1)(a), sections 496 and 497 of the Education Act 1996 are to apply as if any obligations imposed on the local authority or governing body under the scheme were duties imposed on them by that Act. 3 Regulations may provide that where any decision as to whether a child is to be granted or refused admission to a maintained school in England falls to be made in prescribed circumstances, the decision must, if a scheme adopted or made by virtue of section 88M so provides, be made by the local authority regardless of whether they are the admission authority for the school. 4 Where any decision as to whether a child is to be granted or refused admission to a maintained school is (by virtue of regulations under subsection (3)) made by the local authority although they are not the admission authority, the governing body of the school must implement the decision. 5 Before proposing a scheme for adoption under section 88M(1) a local authority must comply with such requirements as to consultation as may be prescribed. 6 Regulations under subsection (5) may in particular require consultations to be undertaken with a view to securing that the arrangements for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in the areas of different local authorities are, so far as is reasonably practicable, compatible with each other. 7 Before making a scheme under section 88M(2) in relation to the area of any local authority , the Secretary of State must consult— a the local authority , and b any governing body who are the admission authority for a school which appears to the Secretary of State to be a school to which the scheme will apply. 8 A scheme made under section 88M(2) may be varied or revoked by the Secretary of State. Sharing of information by local authorities 88O The Secretary of State may by regulations require local authorities in England to provide other local authorities with such information as may be required by them in connection with the exercise of any of their functions under this Chapter. Reports by local authorities to adjudicator 88P 1 A local authority in England must make such reports to the adjudicator about such matters connected with relevant school admissions as may be required by the code for school admissions . 2 In subsection (1) “ relevant school admissions ”, in relation to a local authority , means— a the admission of pupils to relevant schools in the authority's area; b the admission of pupils in the authority's area to other relevant schools; c the entry to the sixth form of pupils who have been admitted to relevant schools in the authority's area; and d the entry to the sixth form of pupils in the authority's area who have been admitted to other relevant schools. 3 In this section, “ relevant school ” means— a a maintained school, b an Academy school , c a city technology college, or d a city college for the technology of the arts. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reports under section 88P: provision of information 88Q 1 A relevant person must, on request, provide a local authority in England with such information as the authority may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling the authority to fulfil their duties under section 88P. 2 In subsection (1), “ relevant person ”, in relation to a local authority , means— a an admission authority (other than the local authority ) for a maintained school in the area of the local authority ; b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c any member of an appeal panel constituted under section 94 by— i the local authority , or ii the governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school in the area of the local authority ; d the proprietor of— i an Academy school , ii a city technology college, or iii a city college for the technology of the arts, in the area of the local authority ; e any other local authority in England; f such other person as may be prescribed. Admission arrangements: Wales Prohibition on interviews 88R 1 No admission arrangements for a maintained school in Wales may require or authorise any interview with an applicant for admission to the school or his parents, where the interview is to be taken into account (to any extent) in determining whether the applicant is to be admitted to the school. 2 If the maintained school is one at which boarding accommodation is provided for pupils, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any interview intended to assess the suitability of an applicant for a boarding place. 3 Where the admission arrangements for a maintained school in Wales make provision for a permitted form of selection by aptitude, subsection (1) does not prevent the arrangements from requiring or authorising any audition or other oral or practical test to be carried out in relation to an applicant solely for the purpose of ascertaining the applicant's aptitude in accordance with the arrangements. 4 In this section “ permitted form of selection by aptitude ” is to be read in accordance with section 99(4). Procedure for determining admission arrangements. 89 1 The admission authority for a maintained school in Wales shall, before the beginning of each school year, determine in accordance with this section the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year. 1ZA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Before determining the admission arrangements which are to apply for a particular school year, the admission authority shall consult the following about the proposed arrangements, namely— a whichever of the governing body and the local authority are not the admission authority, b the admission authorities for all other maintained schools in the relevant area or for such class of such schools as may be prescribed, c the governing bodies for all community and voluntary controlled schools in the relevant area (so far as not falling within paragraph (a) or (b)), ... d the admission authorities for maintained schools of any prescribed description; and e in the case of a foundation or voluntary school which has a religious character for the purposes of Part 2, such body or person representing the religion or religious denomination in question as may be prescribed. 2A Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to the proposed admission arrangements for a particular school year if— a the admission authority are the school’s governing body, and b prescribed conditions are satisfied in relation to that year. 3 In subsection (2) “ the relevant area ” means— a the area of the local authority ; or b if regulations so provide, such other area (whether more or less extensive than the area of the local authority ) as may be determined by or in accordance with the regulations. 4 Once the admission authority have carried out any such consultation, the authority shall— a determine that their proposed arrangements (either in their original form or with such modifications as the authority think fit) shall be the admission arrangements for the school year in question; and b (except in such cases as may be prescribed) notify the appropriate bodies of those admission arrangements. 5 Where an admission authority— a have in accordance with subsection (4) determined the admission arrangements which are to apply for a particular school year, but b at any time before the end of that year consider that the arrangements should be varied in view of a major change in circumstances occurring since they were so determined, the authority shall (except in a case where their proposed variations fall within any description of variations prescribed for the purposes of this subsection) refer the proposed variations to the Welsh Ministers , and shall (in every case) notify the appropriate bodies of the proposed variations. 6 The Welsh Ministers shall consider whether the arrangements should have effect with those variations until the end of that year; and if they determine that the arrangements should so have effect or that they should so have effect subject to such modification of those variations as they may determine — a the arrangements shall have effect accordingly as from the date of their determination; and b the admission authority shall (except in such cases as may be prescribed) notify the appropriate bodies of the variations subject to which the arrangements are to have effect. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Regulations may make provision— a specifying matters to which any consultation required by subsection (2) is, or is not, to relate; b as to the manner in which, and the time by which, any such consultation is to be carried out; c as to the manner in which, and the time by which, any notification required by this section is to be given; d specifying matters which are, or are not, to constitute major changes in circumstances for the purposes of subsection (5)(b); e authorising an admission authority, where they have in accordance with subsection (4) determined the admission arrangements which are to apply for a particular school year, to vary those arrangements to such extent or in such circumstances as may be prescribed; f for the application of any of the requirements of subsections (5) and (6) to variations proposed to be made by virtue of paragraph (e), or to any prescribed description of such variations, as if they were variations proposed to be made under subsection (5); fa requiring an admission authority who have made a determination of a prescribed description under this section to publish such information relating to the determination (including information as to the authority’s reasons for making the determination) as may be prescribed; g as to such other matters connected with the procedure for determining or varying admission arrangements under this section as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate. 8A The power under paragraph (fa) of subsection (8) to require an admission authority to publish information includes power to require them to publish it— a by giving a notice containing the information to prescribed persons, or b in any other prescribed manner. 9 Where the local authority are the admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school, they shall consult the governing body before making any reference under subsection (5). 10 In this section, “ the appropriate bodies ”, in relation to an admission authority, means— a the bodies or persons whom they were required to consult under subsection (2), or would but for subsection (2A) have been required to consult, ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Determination of admission numbers 89A 1 A determination under section 89 by the admission authority for a maintained school in Wales of the admission arrangements which are to apply for a school year shall include a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year. 2 Such a determination under section 89 may also, if the school is one at which boarding accommodation is provided for pupils, include— a a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year as boarders, and b a determination of the number of pupils in each relevant age group that it is intended to admit to the school in that year otherwise than as boarders. 3 Regulations may make provision about the making of any determination required by subsection (1), and may in particular require the admission authority for a maintained school in Wales to have regard, in making any such determination, to— a any prescribed method of calculation, and b any other prescribed matter. 4 References in this section to the determination of any number include references to the determination of zero as that number. Co-ordination of admission arrangements 89B 1 Regulations may require a local authority in Wales — a to formulate, for any academic year in relation to which prescribed conditions are satisfied, a qualifying scheme for co-ordinating the arrangements for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in their area, and b to take prescribed action with a view to securing the adoption of the scheme by themselves and each governing body who are the admission authority for a maintained school in their area. 2 Subject to subsection (3), the Welsh Ministers may make, in relation to the area of a local authority in Wales and an academic year, a scheme for co-ordinating the arrangements, or assisting in the co-ordination of the arrangements, for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in that area. 3 A scheme may not be made under subsection (2) in relation to a local authority and an academic year if, before the prescribed date in the year preceding the year in which that academic year commences— a a scheme formulated by the local authority in accordance with subsection (1) is adopted in the prescribed manner by the persons mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, and b the authority provide the Welsh Ministers with a copy of the scheme and inform them that the scheme has been so adopted. 4 The Welsh Ministers may by regulations require local authorities in Wales to provide other local authorities with such information as may be required by such other authorities in connection with the exercise of any of their functions under this Chapter. 5 Regulations may provide— a that each local authority in Wales shall secure that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, no decision made by any admission authority for a maintained school in their area to offer or refuse a child admission to the school shall be communicated to the parent of the child except on a single day, designated by the local authority , in each year, or b that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, a decision made by the admission authority for a maintained school in Wales to offer or refuse a child admission to the school shall not be communicated to the parent of the child except on a prescribed day. 6 In this section— “ academic year ” means a period commencing with 1st August and ending with the next 31st July; “ qualifying scheme ” means a scheme that meets prescribed requirements. 7 Nothing in this section applies in relation to arrangements for the admission to maintained schools in Wales of pupils— a who— i have ceased to be of compulsory school age, or ii will have ceased to be of compulsory school age before education is provided for them at the school, or b for the purpose of receiving sixth form education. Further provision about schemes adopted or made by virtue of section 89B 89C 1 Regulations may make provision about the contents of schemes under section 89B(2), including provision about the duties that may be imposed by such schemes on— a local authorities in Wales , and b the admission authorities for maintained schools in Wales . 2 Regulations may provide that where a local authority in Wales or the governing body of a maintained school in Wales have, in such manner as may be prescribed, adopted a scheme formulated by a local authority for the purpose mentioned in section 89B(1)(a) — a Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (“ the 2013 Act ”) (intervention in conduct of maintained schools) is to apply as if any obligations imposed on a governing body under the scheme were duties imposed by the Education Acts. b Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2013 Act (intervention in local authorities) is to apply as if any obligation imposed on a local authority were an education function. 3 Regulations may provide that where any decision as to whether a child is to be granted or refused admission to a maintained school in Wales falls to be made in prescribed circumstances, the decision shall, if a scheme adopted or made by virtue of section 89B so provides, be made by the local authority regardless of whether they are the admission authority for the school. 3A Where any decision as to whether a child is to be granted or refused admission to a maintained school in Wales is (by virtue of regulations under subsection (3)) made by the local authority although they are not the admission authority, the governing body of the school must implement the decision. 4 Before proposing a scheme for adoption under section 89B(1) a local authority shall comply with such requirements as to consultation as may be prescribed. 5 Regulations under subsection (4) may in particular require consultations to be undertaken with a view to securing that the arrangements for the admission of pupils to maintained schools in the areas of different local authorities are, so far as is reasonably practicable, compatible with each other. 6 Before making a scheme under section 89B(2) in relation to the area of any local authority , the Welsh Ministers shall consult— a the local authority , and b any governing body who are the admission authority for a school which appears to the Secretary of State to be a school to which the scheme will apply. 7 A scheme made under section 89B(2) may be varied or revoked by the Welsh Ministers . Power to restrict alteration of admission arrangements following establishment or expansion 89D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reference of objections to Welsh Ministers . 90 1 Where— a admission arrangements have been determined by an admission authority under section 89(4), but b an appropriate body wishes to make an objection about those arrangements, and c the objection does not fall within any description of objections prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, that body may refer the objection to the Welsh Ministers . 2 Where— a admission arrangements have been determined by an admission authority under section 89(4), but b any parent of a prescribed description wishes to make an objection about those arrangements, and c the objection falls within any description of objections prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, that person may refer the objection to the Welsh Ministers . 2A Where any objection is referred to the Welsh Ministers, they shall decide whether, and (if so) to what extent, the objection should be upheld. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A Where the Welsh Ministers are required by virtue of (2A) to decide whether to uphold an objection to admission arrangements, they may consider whether it would be appropriate for changes to be made to any aspect of the admission arrangements, whether or not they would be required to do so for the purpose of determining the objection. 5B In the case of any objection referred to them under this section, the Welsh Ministers must publish a report containing the following— a their decision on the objection, b any decision they have made on whether it would be appropriate for changes to be made to the admission arrangements, whether in the light of their decision on the objection or otherwise, c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d their reasons for the decisions mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) . 5C Where the Welsh Ministers decide that it would be appropriate for changes to be made to the admission arrangements, their decision may specify the modifications that are to be made to the arrangements. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The decisions of the Welsh Ministers mentioned in subsection (5B)(a) and (b) shall, in relation to the admission arrangements in question, be binding on the admission authority and on all persons by whom an objection may be made under subsection (1) or (2); and, if the Welsh Ministers have decided that it would be appropriate for changes to be made to the admission arrangements, those arrangements shall forthwith be revised by the admission authority in such a way as to give effect to the decision. 9 Regulations may make provision— a as to any conditions which must be satisfied before— i an objection can be referred to the Welsh Ministers under subsection (1) or (2), or ii the Welsh Ministers are required to determine an objection referred to them under subsection (2); b prescribing the steps which may be taken by an admission authority where an objection has been referred to the Welsh Ministers under subsection (1) or (2) but has not yet been determined; ba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c as to the manner in which a report required to be published under subsection (5B) is to be published; d requiring such matters to be notified to such persons, and in such manner, as may be prescribed; e prohibiting or restricting the reference under subsection (1) or (2), within such period following a decision by the Welsh Ministers under this section as may be prescribed, of any objection raising the same (or substantially the same) issues in relation to the admission arrangements of the school in question; f prescribing circumstances in which an admission authority may revise the admission arrangements for their school in the light of any decision by the Welsh Ministers relating to the admission arrangements for another school, and the procedure to be followed in such a case. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 In this section, “ appropriate body ” means, in relation to the admission arrangements determined by an admission authority— a any body or person whom the admission authority were required to consult under subsection (2) of section 89, or would but for subsection (2A) of that section have been required to consult, ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regulations by Welsh Ministers under sections 89 to 90 90ZA In sections 89 to 90— “ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations made by the Welsh Ministers; “ regulations ” means regulations made by the Welsh Ministers. Restriction on alteration of admission arrangements following adjudicator's decision 90A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special arrangements to preserve religious character of foundation or voluntary aided school. 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publication of information about admissions: England and Wales Publication of information about admissions. 92 Regulations may— a require the publication by a local authority of such information relating to admissions as may be prescribed, b require the publication by the governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school of such information relating to admissions as may be prescribed, c require or allow the publication by the governing body of any school maintained by a local authority , or by the local authority on behalf of the governing body, of such information relating to the school as may be prescribed, and d make provision as to the time by which, and the manner in which, information required to be published by virtue of this section is to be published. Admission numbers Fixing admission numbers. 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Admission appeals Appeal arrangements: general. 94 1 A local authority shall make arrangements for enabling the appropriate person to appeal against— za in a case where the local authority are the admissions authority, any decision made by or on behalf of the authority refusing a child admission to a school, a any other decision made by or on behalf of the authority as to the school at which education is to be provided for a child in the exercise of the authority’s functions, other than a decision leading to or embodied in a direction under section 96 or 97A (directions for admission), and b in a case where the governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school maintained by the authority are the admission authority , any decision made by or on behalf of the governing body refusing a child admission to the school. 1A A local authority shall make arrangements for enabling the appropriate person in relation to a child who has been admitted to a community or voluntary controlled school maintained by the authority to appeal against any decision made by or on behalf of the governing body refusing permission for the child to enter the school’s sixth form. 2 The governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school shall make arrangements for enabling the appropriate person to appeal against any decision made by or on behalf of the governing body refusing a child admission to the school. 2A The governing body of a foundation or voluntary aided school shall make arrangements for enabling the appropriate person in relation to a child who has been admitted to the school to appeal against any decision made by or on behalf of the governing body refusing permission for the child to enter the school’s sixth form. 2B In this section, “ the appropriate person ”, in relation to a child, means— a in the case of a decision about sixth form education for the child any of the following— i the child; ii a parent of his; iii the child and a parent of his, acting jointly; (but subject to regulations made under subsection (5A)); b in any other case, a parent of the child. 3 Joint arrangements may be made under subsection (2) or (2A) by the governing bodies of two or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the same local authority . 4 A local authority and the governing body or bodies of one or more foundation or voluntary aided schools maintained by the authority may make joint arrangements consisting of— a such of the arrangements made by the authority in pursuance of subsection (1) or (1A) as the authority may determine; and b arrangements made by the governing body or bodies in pursuance of subsection (2) or (2A) . 5 An appeal pursuant to any arrangements made under this section shall be to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with regulations. 5A Regulations may make provision about the making of appeals pursuant to such arrangements, including provision— a as to the procedure on such appeals, aa in cases where separate appeals are made by a parent and a child against a decision about sixth form education for the child, for the appeals to be joined, or otherwise for securing that no more than one appeal against the decision is proceeded with; b for the payment by the local authority of allowances to members of an appeal panel, and c as to the grounds on which an appeal panel may, in the case of an appeal to which subsection (5B) applies, determine that a place is to be offered to the child concerned. 5B This subsection applies to any appeal against a decision made on the ground that prejudice of the kind referred to in section 86(3)(a) would arise as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section. 5C Regulations made by virtue of subsection (5A)(b) may provide for any of the provisions of sections 173 to 174 of the Local Government Act 1972 (allowances to members of local authorities and other bodies) or (in relation to Wales) Part 5A of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 to apply with prescribed modifications in relation to members of an appeal panel. 6 The decision of an appeal panel on an appeal pursuant to arrangements under this section shall be binding on— a the local authority or the governing body by whom or on whose behalf the decision under appeal was made, and b in the case of a decision made by or on behalf of a local authority , the governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school at which the appeal panel determines that a place should be offered to the child in question. 6A In this section, any reference to a decision about sixth form education for a child is a reference to a decision— a made in relation to a preference expressed in accordance with arrangements made under section 86A(1) as to where education should be provided for the child, or b refusing permission for the child to enter the sixth form of the school to which he has been admitted. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appeals relating to children to whom section 87 applies. 95 1 Nothing in section 94(1) or (2) requires any arrangements to be made for enabling the appropriate person to appeal against a decision— a made by or on behalf of the admission authority for a maintained school, and b refusing a child admission to the school, in a case where, at the time when the decision is made, section 87(2) applies to the child. 1A In subsection (1), “ the appropriate person ”, in relation to a child, has the same meaning as in section 94. 2 Where a local authority are the admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school, the authority shall make arrangements for enabling the governing body of the school to appeal against any decision made by or on behalf of the authority to admit to the school a child to whom, at the time when the decision is made, section 87(2) applies. 2A Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a decision made by or on behalf of a local authority in England to admit to a school a child who is looked after by such an authority (provision for references to the adjudicator in relation to such a decision being made by section 95A). 3 An appeal by the governing body pursuant to arrangements made under subsection (2) shall be to an appeal panel constituted in accordance with regulations. 3A Regulations may make provision about the making of appeals pursuant to arrangements under subsection (2), including provision— a requiring prescribed information to be given to governing bodies in prescribed circumstances, b as to the procedure on such appeals, c for the payment by the local authority of allowances to members of an appeal panel, and d as to the matters to which an appeal panel is to have regard in considering an appeal. 3B Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A)(c) may provide for any of the provisions of sections 173 to 174 of the Local Government Act 1972 (allowances to members of local authorities and other bodies) or (in relation to Wales) Part 5A of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 to apply with prescribed modifications in relation to members of an appeal panel. 4 The decision of an appeal panel on an appeal made pursuant to arrangements under subsection (2) shall be binding on the local authority and the governing body. References relating to looked after children to whom section 87(2) applies 95A 1 This section applies where— a the admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school in England is a local authority, b a decision is made by or on behalf of the authority to admit to the school a child who, at the time when the decision is made, is looked after by a local authority in England and to whom (at that time) section 87(2) applies. 2 The admission authority must give notice of the decision to the governing body of the school. 3 The governing body of the school may, within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which they are notified of the decision, refer the matter to the adjudicator. 4 A reference under subsection (3) may only be made on the ground that the admission of the child to the school would seriously prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. 5 If the adjudicator determines that the admission of the child to the school would have the effect mentioned in subsection (4)— a the decision to admit the child to the school shall cease to have effect, but b the adjudicator may determine that another maintained school in England is to be required to admit the child. 6 A determination under subsection (5)(b) may only be made with the agreement of the local authority who look after the child. 7 A determination under subsection (5)(b) may not be made if— a the child is permanently excluded from the other school, or b the admission of the child to the other school would seriously prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. 8 If the adjudicator determines under subsection (5)(b) that another school is to be required to admit the child— a the admission authority for the school shall admit the child to the school, and b if the admission authority are not the governing body of the school, the admission authority shall give notice in writing to the governing body and head teacher of the school of the adjudicator's decision. 9 Regulations may make provision— a requiring the adjudicator to consult prescribed persons or persons of a prescribed description before making any determination in connection with a reference under this section; b requiring an admission authority for a maintained school to provide information which— i falls within a prescribed description, and ii is requested by the adjudicator for the purposes of any such determination. Power to direct admission of child to school Direction to admit child to specified school. 96 1 The local authority may give a direction under this section to the governing body of a school for which they are not the admission authority if, in the case of any child in their area, either (or both) of the following conditions is satisfied in relation to each school which is a reasonable distance from his home and provides suitable education, that is— a he has been refused admission to the school, or b he is permanently excluded from the school. 2 A direction under this section shall specify a school— a which is a reasonable distance from the child’s home, and b from which the child is not permanently excluded. 3 A direction under this section shall, unless it is given on the determination of the appropriate authority (within the meaning of section 97) under section 97(4), specify a school in the area referred to in subsection (1). 3A A direction under this section to admit a child shall not specify a school which has in place admission arrangements that make provision for selection by ability falling within section 99(2)(c) unless the child satisfies the selection criteria. 4 A direction under this section to admit a child shall not specify a school if his admission would result in prejudice of the kind referred to in section 86(3)(a) by reason of measures required to be taken as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section. 5 Where a school is specified in a direction under this section, the governing body shall admit the child to the school. 6 Subsection (5) does not affect any power to exclude from a school a pupil who is already a registered pupil there. 7 In this section “ suitable education ”, in relation to a child, means efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and (in the case of a local authority in England) to any special educational needs or (in the case of a local authority in Wales) to any additional learning needs he may have. 8 In this section and sections 97 to 97C “ school ” means a maintained school. Procedure for giving direction under section 96. 97 1 Before deciding to give a direction under section 96, the local authority shall consult— za the child, in a case within subsection (1A); a the parent of the child, and b the governing body of the school they propose to specify in the direction. 1A A case is within this subsection if— a the local authority are a local authority in England, and b the child is over compulsory school age. 2 Where the local authority decide to give such a direction specifying any school— a they shall, before doing so, serve a notice in writing of their decision on the governing body and head teacher of the school, and b they shall not give the direction until the period for referring the matter to the appropriate authority under subsection (3) has expired and, if it is so referred, the appropriate authority has made its determination . 3 The governing body may, within the period of 15 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, refer the matter to the appropriate authority and, if they do so, shall inform the local authority . 4 On a reference under subsection (3) the appropriate authority may determine which school is to be required to admit the child, and if it does so — a where the local authority referred to in subsection (1) are the admission authority for that school, they shall— i admit the child to the school, and ii give notice in writing to the governing body and head teacher of the school of the appropriate authority's determination, and b in any other case, that school shall be specified in the direction. 5 The appropriate authority shall not make a determination under subsection (4) in relation to a school if the child’s admission to the school would result in prejudice of the kind referred to in section 86(3)(a) by reason of measures required to be taken as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section. 6 A direction under section 96 shall be given by notice in writing; and a copy of the notice shall be given by the local authority to the head teacher of theschool. 6A In this section, “ the appropriate authority ” means— a in relation to a local authority in England, the adjudicator, and b in relation to a local authority in Wales, the Assembly. Direction to admit looked after child to specified school 97A 1 A local authority in England may, in relation to a child looked after by them, give a direction under this section to the admission authority for any school in England other than a school for which the local authority are the admission authority. 2 A direction under this section shall not specify a school from which the child is permanently excluded. 3 Where a school is specified in a direction under this section, the admission authority shall admit the child to the school. 4 Subsection (3) does not affect any power to exclude from a school a pupil who is already a registered pupil there. Procedure for giving direction under section 97A 97B 1 Before deciding to give a direction under section 97A, the local authority shall consult the admission authority for the school they propose to specify in the direction. 2 The admission authority for the school shall, within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which they are consulted as mentioned in subsection (1), inform the local authority whether they are willing to admit the child to the school without being directed to do so by the authority. 3 Where the local authority decide to give a direction under section 97A specifying a school— a they shall, before doing so, serve a notice in writing of their decision on— i the admission authority for the school, ii if the school is a community or voluntary controlled school and the governing body of the school are not the admission authority, the governing body of the school, iii if the school is maintained by a local authority who are not the authority proposing to give the direction and are not the admission authority, the local authority who maintain the school, and iv the head teacher of the school, and b they shall not give the direction until the period for referring the matter to the adjudicator under subsection (4) has expired and, if it is so referred, until the adjudicator has made such determinations under this section as it appears to him to be appropriate to make in connection with the reference. 4 The following persons— a the admission authority on whom a notice is served under subsection (3)(a)(i), and b in the case of a notice relating to a child to whom (at the time of service of the notice) section 87(2) applies, the governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school on whom the notice is served under subsection (3)(a)(ii), may, within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, refer the matter to the adjudicator and, if they do so, shall inform the local authority. 5 A reference under subsection (4) may only be made on the ground that the admission of the child to the school would seriously prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. 6 If the adjudicator determines that the admission of the child to the school would have the effect mentioned in subsection (5)— a the local authority may not give a direction under section 97A that the school admit the child, but b the adjudicator may determine that another school in England is to be required to admit the child. 7 A determination under subsection (6)(b) may only be made with the agreement of the local authority who look after the child. 8 A determination under subsection (6)(b) may not be made if— a the child is permanently excluded from the other school, or b the admission of the child to the other school would seriously prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. 9 If the adjudicator determines under subsection (6)(b) that another school is to be required to admit the child, then— a if the local authority referred to in subsection (1) are the admission authority for that school they shall— i admit the child to the school, and ii give notice in writing to the governing body and head teacher of the school of the adjudicator's decision, and b in any other case, the local authority shall specify that school in their direction under section 97A. 10 A direction under section 97A shall be given by notice in writing and a copy of the notice shall be given by the local authority to the head teacher of the school. Determinations under section 97 or 97B: supplemental 97C Regulations may make provision in relation to England— a requiring the adjudicator to consult prescribed persons or persons of a prescribed description before making any determination in connection with a reference under section 97 or 97B; b requiring an admission authority for a school to provide information which— i falls within a prescribed description, and ii is requested by the adjudicator for the purposes of any such determination. Looked after children in Wales Power of Assembly to make regulations about admission of looked after children 97D 1 The Assembly may by regulations make provision about the admission of children looked after by local authorities in Wales (“looked after children”) to maintained schools in Wales. 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may include provision requiring the admission authorities for such schools— a to include in their admission arrangements such provision relating to the admission of looked after children as may be prescribed, which may in particular include provision for securing that, subject to prescribed exceptions, such children are to be offered admission in preference to other children; b to admit looked after children in prescribed circumstances, subject to prescribed exceptions. 3 Regulations under subsection (1) may provide that any of the preceding provisions of this Chapter— a shall not apply in relation to looked after children; b shall apply in relation to such children with prescribed modifications. Nursery and special schools, etc: children with statements Admission for nursery education or to nursery or special school: children with statements of special educational needs or EHC plans . 98 1 Children admitted to a school for nursery education and subsequently transferred to a reception class at the school shall be regarded for the purposes of this Chapter as admitted to the school (otherwise than for nursery education) on being so transferred. 2 The admission of children to a school for nursery education shall be disregarded— a for the purposes of any determination under section 88C or 89 of the number of pupils in any relevant age group that it is intended to admit to a primary school in a school year, and b in determining for the purposes of section 88D or 89A what is a relevant age group in relation to a primary school. 3 Subject to subsection (4), nothing in this Chapter apart from subsections (4A) and (4B) applies in relation to— a nursery schools, or b children who will be under compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission. 4 Where the arrangements for the admission of pupils to a maintained school provide for the admission to the school of children who will be under compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission, this Chapter shall apply in relation to the admission of such pupils to the school otherwise than for nursery education. 4A The person responsible for admitting, or refusing to admit, children to a maintained school for nursery education shall be the person who (by virtue of section 88(1)) is the admission authority for the school. 4B Regulations may make provision as to the person who is to be responsible for admitting, or refusing to admit, children to maintained nursery schools. 5 Regulations may make provision in connection with the arrangements for the admission of pupils to community or foundation special schools, and for the allocation between the local authority and the governing body of such a school of functions in connection with such arrangements. 6 Apart from section 92(c) and (d) and subsection (5) above, nothing in this Chapter applies in relation to special schools. 7 Subject to subsections (8) and (9), nothing in this Chapter applies in relation to children for whom EHC plans are maintained under section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014 or individual development plans are maintained under Part 2 of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 in respect of which section 48 of that Act applies (duty to admit children to maintained schools) . 8 Any provision made by, or (as the case may be) by virtue of, section 84 or 92(c) and (d) or this section , apart from subsections (4A) and (4B), applies, or (as the case may be) may be made so as to apply, in relation to such children. 9 Such children shall, in addition, be taken into account for the purposes of— a the references in section 86(5), (5B) and (9) to a number of pupils, and b any determination under section 88C or 89 of the number of pupils in a relevant age group that it is intended to admit, or to admit either as boarders or otherwise than as boarders, to a school in a school year. 10 In subsection (8) the reference to any provision made by this section includes a reference to subsection (4) only so far as it has effect for the purposes mentioned in subsection (9). Meaning of “sixth form education” etc 98A 1 In this Chapter, “ sixth form education ” means secondary education suitable to the requirements of pupils who are over compulsory school age. 2 References in this Chapter, in relation to a child who has been admitted to a school, to his entering the school's sixth form are to his being transferred to a class at the school in which sixth form education is provided from a class in which such education is not so provided. Chapter II Selection of pupils Partial selection General restriction on selection by ability or aptitude. 99 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The following are for the purposes of section 39(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 permitted forms of selection by ability— a any selection by ability authorised by section 100 (pre-existing arrangements); b any selection by ability authorised by section 101 (pupil banding); and c any selection by ability conducted in connection with the admission of pupils to the school for secondary education suitable to the requirements of pupils who are over compulsory school age. 3 No admission arrangements for a maintained school may make provision for selection by aptitude unless they make provision for a permitted form of such selection. 4 The following are permitted forms of selection by aptitude— a any selection by aptitude authorised by section 100 (pre-existing arrangements); and b any selection by aptitude authorised by section 102 (aptitude for particular subjects). 5 For the purposes of this Chapter— a a school’s admission arrangements make provision for selection by ability or by aptitude if they make provision for all or any of the pupils who are to be admitted to the school in any relevant age group to be so admitted by reference to ability or to aptitude (as the case may be); b “ ability ” means either general ability or ability in any particular subject or subjects; c “ admission arrangements ” has the meaning given by section 88(2); and d “ maintained school ” means a community, foundation or voluntary school. Permitted selection: pre-existing arrangements. 100 1 Where at the beginning of the 1997-98 school year the admission arrangements for a maintained school made provision for selection by ability or by aptitude (and they have at all times since that date continued to do so), the admission arrangements for the school may continue to make such provision so long as— a the proportion of selective admissions in any relevant age group does not exceed the permitted proportion (as defined by subsection (1A)), and b there is no significant change in the basis of selection. 1A In subsection (1)(a), “ the permitted proportion ”, in relation to any relevant age group, means the lowest proportion of selective admissions provided for by the school's admission arrangements at any time since the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year. 2 In relation to any time before the appointed day, the reference in subsection (1) to a maintained school is a reference to the school as a county, voluntary or grant-maintained school within the meaning of the Education Act 1996. 3 In this section “ the proportion of selective admissions ”, in relation to a relevant age group, means the proportion of the total number of pupils admitted to the school in that age group (determined in the prescribed manner) which is represented by the number of pupils so admitted by reference to ability or to aptitude (as the case may be). 4 Nothing in this section applies to a school with selective admission arrangements (as defined by section 104(2)). Permitted selection: pupil banding. 101 1 Subject to subsections (2) and (2A) , the admission arrangements for a maintained school in England or Wales may make provision for selection by ability to the extent that the arrangements are designed to secure— a that in any year the pupils admitted to the school in any relevant age group are representative of all levels of ability among applicants for admission to the school in that age group, and b that no level of ability is substantially over-represented or substantially under-represented. 1A Subject to subsections (2) and (2A), the admission authority for a maintained school in England may make provision for selection by ability to the extent that the arrangements are designed to secure— a that in any year the pupils admitted to the school in any relevant age group are representative of all levels of ability among such one of the following groups as the admission arrangements may specify (“the reference group”)— i children who are applicants for admission in that age group to any of two or more schools (including the school in question) in the area of the local authority , ii children in that age group who live in the area of the local authority , or iii children in that age group who live in England, and b that no level of ability is substantially over-represented or substantially under-represented by comparison with its representation in the reference group. 2 Subsection (1) or (1A) does not apply if the arrangements have the effect that, where an applicant for admission has been allocated to a particular range of ability by means of some process of selection by reference to ability, some further such process is required or authorised to be carried out in relation to him for the purpose of determining whether or not he is to be admitted to the school. 2A If the admission authority for a maintained school in England is the local authority , the authority may only introduce such provision for selection by ability as is mentioned in subsection (1) or (1A) with the consent of the governing body of the school. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 In the case of a school in Wales, admission arrangements to which subsection (1) applies are not authorised by this section unless proposals for the school to have such arrangements have been published , and fallen to be implemented, under any enactment . 5 Where the admission arrangements for a school make both such provision for selection by ability as is mentioned in subsection (1) or (1A) above and such provision for selection by aptitude as is mentioned in section 102(1), nothing in this section shall be taken to prevent those arrangements— a from authorising or requiring a process of selection to be carried out at any stage for the purpose of establishing that an applicant for admission has a relevant aptitude; or b from having the effect of giving priority to such an applicant with a relevant aptitude irrespective of his level of ability. Permitted selection in maintained schools in England : aptitude for particular subjects. 102 1 Subject to subsection (2), the admission arrangements for a maintained school in England may make provision for the selection of pupils for admission to the school by reference to their aptitude for one or more prescribed subjects where— a the admission authority for the school are satisfied that the school has a specialism in the subject or subjects in question; and b the proportion of selective admissions in any relevant age group does not exceed 10 per cent. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply if the admission arrangements make provision for any test to be carried out in relation to an applicant for admission which is either a test of ability or one designed to elicit any aptitude of his other than for the subject or subjects in question. 3 Where, however, the admission arrangements for a school make both such provision for selection by aptitude as is mentioned in subsection (1) and such provision for selection by ability as is mentioned in section 101(1) or (1A) , the reference in subsection (2) above to a test of ability does not include any such test for which provision may be made under that section. 4 In this section “ the proportion of selective admissions ”, in relation to a relevant age group, means the proportion of the total number of pupils admitted to the school in that age group (determined in the prescribed manner) which is represented by the number of pupils so admitted by reference to aptitude for the subject or subjects in question. 5 In this section “ test ” includes assessment and examination. Permitted selection in maintained schools in Wales: aptitude for particular areas of learning and experience etc. 102A 1 The admission arrangements for a maintained school in Wales may make provision for the selection of pupils for admission to the school by reference to their aptitude for— a one or more prescribed areas of learning and experience, or b one or more prescribed elements within one or more areas of learning and experience. 2 But the admission arrangements may make such provision only where— a the admission authority for the school are satisfied that the school has a specialism in the area or areas, or element or elements, in question, and b the proportion of selective admissions in any relevant age group does not exceed 10 per cent. 3 Subsection (1) does not apply if the admission arrangements make provision for any test to be carried out in relation to an applicant for admission which is either a test of ability or one designed to elicit the applicant’s aptitude other than for the area or areas, or element or elements, in question. 4 Where, however, the admission arrangements for a school make both such provision for selection by aptitude as is mentioned in subsection (1) and such provision for selection by ability as is mentioned in section 101(1), the reference in subsection (3) to a test of ability does not include any such test for which provision may be made under that section. 5 In this section, “ the proportion of selective admissions ”, in relation to a relevant age group, means the proportion of the total number of pupils admitted to the school in that age group (determined in the prescribed manner) which is represented by the number of pupils so admitted by reference to aptitude for the area or areas, or element or elements, in question. 6 In this section— “ area of learning and experience ” has the same meaning as in the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021; “ test ” includes assessment and examination. Permitted selection: introduction, variation or abandonment of provision for such selection. 103 1 In connection with the determination of a maintained school’s admission arrangements for a particular school year, sections 88C to 88K or, as the case may be, 89 and 90 shall, except to the specified extent, apply in relation to the making or abandonment by those arrangements of provision for any permitted form of selection by ability or aptitude as they apply in relation to the making or abandonment by those arrangements of provision for other matters. 2 In subsection (1) “ the specified extent ” means the extent to which those admission arrangements would effect an alteration in the provision made by the school’s admission arrangements as respects any such form of selection (whether by introducing, varying or abandoning any such form of selection) which constitutes— a in relation to England, a prescribed alteration for the purposes of section 18 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and b in relation to Wales, a regulated alteration within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 . 3 Any admission arrangements to which section 101(1) or (1A) applies (whether authorised by section 100 or section 101) may be varied if (and only if) the arrangements as varied are designed to secure the objectives mentioned in section 101(1)(a) and (b), section 101(1A)(a)(i) and (b), section 101(1A)(a)(ii) and (b) or section 101(1A)(a)(iii) and (b) . Grammar schools Designation of grammar schools. 104 1 Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that a maintained school had selective admission arrangements at the beginning of the 1997-98 school year, he may by order designate the school as a grammar school for the purposes of this Chapter. 2 A school has selective admission arrangements for the purposes of this Chapter if its admission arrangements make provision for all (or substantially all) of its pupils to be selected by reference to general ability, with a view to admitting only pupils with high ability. 3 For the purpose of deciding whether a school’s admission arrangements fall within subsection (2), any such additional criteria as are mentioned in section 86(9) shall be disregarded. 4 Where a maintained school is a grammar school— a sections 105 to 109 have effect for prescribing procedures for altering the school’s admission arrangements so that it no longer has selective admission arrangements; and b its admission arrangements shall not be so altered except in accordance with those sections. 5 Regulations may make provision— a for enabling the Secretary of State to make an order designating as a grammar school for the purposes of this Chapter a maintained school established in substitution for one or more discontinued schools each of which either has been or could have been so designated under this section (whether by virtue of subsection (1) or by virtue of the regulations); and b for any provisions of this Chapter, or any regulations made under it, to have effect in relation to any such school with such modifications as may be prescribed. 6 In this section “ maintained school ” includes, in relation to any time before the appointed day— a a county or voluntary school, or b a grant-maintained school, within the meaning of the Education Act 1996; and in the application of subsection (1) to a maintained school on or after the appointed day the reference to the school shall be read, in connection with determining the nature of its admission arrangements at the beginning of the 1997-98 school year, as a reference to it as a school within paragraph (a) or (b) above. 7 In this Chapter “ grammar school ” means a school for the time being designated under this section. Procedure for deciding whether grammar schools should retain selective admission arrangements. 105 1 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for ballots of parents to be held, at their request, for determining whether the grammar schools to which such ballots relate should retain selective admission arrangements. 2 Ballot regulations may provide for a ballot under this section to relate— a to all grammar schools within the area of a prescribed local authority or within such other area as may be prescribed, b to a prescribed group of grammar schools, or c to any grammar school not falling within paragraph (a) or (b). 3 Ballot regulations may make provision— a requiring a request for a ballot under this section to be made by means of a petition signed by parents eligible to request the ballot; b prescribing the form of any such petition and other requirements (whether as to the procedure to be followed or otherwise) which are to be complied with in relation to any such petition; c prescribing the body (“ the designated body ”) to which any such petition is to be sent and which, under arrangements made by the Secretary of State, is to— i make the arrangements for the holding of ballots under this section, and ii discharge such other functions with respect to such petitions and the holding of such ballots as may be prescribed (which may include the determination of any question arising as to the validity of any request for a ballot or as to a person’s eligibility to request or vote in a ballot); d requiring prescribed bodies or persons, or bodies or persons falling within any prescribed category— i to provide the designated body or any other person with any prescribed information requested by that body or person, or ii to publish prescribed information in such manner as may be prescribed; e authorising any such bodies or persons to charge a fee (not exceeding the cost of supply) for documents supplied by them in pursuance of regulations made by virtue of paragraph (d)(i); f prescribing the terms of the question on which a ballot under this section is to be held and the manner in which such a ballot is to be conducted; g enabling the Secretary of State, in any prescribed circumstances, to declare a previous ballot under this section void and require the holding of a fresh ballot; h requiring anything falling to be done under the regulations to be done within such period as may be specified in or determined in accordance with the regulations. 4 Ballot regulations may provide— a for parents of any prescribed description to register with the designated body, in such manner and at such time as may be prescribed, in order to be eligible to request or vote in a ballot; b that for all or any prescribed purposes of the regulations references to parents are to be read as excluding those who are not individuals. 5 Ballot regulations may provide for a request for a ballot under this section to be made, in any prescribed circumstances, by means of two or more petitions. 6 The information required to be provided in pursuance of subsection (3)(d) may include the names and addresses of parents of any prescribed description. 7 Ballot regulations may provide for sections 496 and 497 of the Education Act 1996 (default powers of Secretary of State) to apply to proprietors of independent schools in relation to a duty imposed by or under the regulations. 8 Where— a a ballot has been held under this section, and b the result of the ballot was to the effect that the schools or school in question should retain selective admission arrangements, no further ballot relating to the schools or school shall be held under this section within such period as is specified in ballot regulations. 9 The Secretary of State may make (or arrange for the making of) payments in respect of any expenses incurred by— a the governing body of a school maintained by a local authority , b the proprietor of an independent school, or c a local authority , in complying with any obligations which may be imposed by regulations made under subsection (3)(d)(i) or (ii). Payments under this subsection may be made on such terms as the Secretary of State may determine. 10 For the purposes of this section and sections 106 and 107, in their application in relation to any time falling before the appointed day, a grant-maintained school or a grant-maintained special school within the meaning of the Education Act 1996 shall be taken— a to be a school maintained by a local authority , and b to be maintained by the authority in whose area it is situated. 11 In this section and section 106 “ ballot regulations ” means regulations made under this section. Ballot regulations: eligibility of parents to request or vote in ballot. 106 1 In relation to a ballot under section 105(2)(a), ballot regulations shall provide that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, the parents eligible to request or vote in the ballot are— a registered parents of registered pupils at the following schools, namely— i where the ballot relates to all grammar schools within the area of a prescribed local authority , all schools maintained by that authority; or ii where the ballot relates to all grammar schools within a prescribed area, all schools maintained by a local authority which are situated in such area as may be prescribed, together with (if the regulations so provide) all schools maintained by such local authority as may be prescribed; b registered parents of registered pupils at independent schools where— i such parents are resident, and ii the schools are situated, within the area of the prescribed local authority or (as the case may be) the prescribed area; and c parents of children of a prescribed description where such parents— i are resident within the area of the prescribed local authority or (as the case may be) the prescribed area, and ii have registered with the designated body in accordance with section 105(4)(a). 2 In relation to a ballot under section 105(2)(b) or (c), ballot regulations shall provide that, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, the parents eligible to request or vote in the ballot are registered parents of registered pupils at any school from which a prescribed number of pupils have transferred to the grammar school or schools in question— a at such age or ages, and b during such period, as may be determined in accordance with the regulations; and such regulations may provide that where, within that period, any such grammar school has been established in substitution for another school, the schools are to be treated as a single school for the purposes of determining eligibility. 3 Ballot regulations shall provide— a in relation to a ballot under section 105(2)(a), that a request for such a ballot must be made by a number of eligible parents equal to at least 20 per cent. of all parents falling within subsection (1)(a) or (b) above; and b in relation to a ballot under section 105(2)(b) or (c), that a request for such a ballot must be made by at least 20 per cent. of all parents falling within subsection (2) above. 4 Ballot regulations may provide for a parent’s eligibility for the purposes of— a making a request for a ballot, b voting in a ballot, or c determining the number of parents required to make a request by virtue of subsection (3), to be determined by reference to such different times as may be determined in accordance with the regulations. 5 Ballot regulations may make provision for determining whether parents are resident in an area for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) or (c). Restriction on publication of material etc. relating to ballots. 107 1 An authority or body to whom this section applies shall not incur any expenditure for the purpose of— a publishing any material which, in whole or in part, appears designed to influence— i eligible parents in deciding whether or not to request a ballot under section 105, or ii the outcome of such a ballot; or b assisting any person to publish any such material; or c influencing, or assisting any person to influence, by any other means— i eligible parents in deciding whether or not to request such a ballot, or ii the outcome of such a ballot. 2 This section applies to— a any local authority , and b the governing body of any school maintained by a local authority . 3 Nothing in subsection (1) shall be taken to prevent an authority or body to whom this section applies from incurring expenditure on publishing or otherwise providing to any person (whether or not in pursuance of any duty to do so)— a any factual information so far as it is presented fairly; or b a fair and reasonable assessment by the authority or body of the likely consequences of the result of a ballot under section 105 being in favour of the schools or school in question ceasing to have selective admission arrangements; or c an accurate statement by the authority or body of their intentions or proposals in the event of such a result. 4 In determining for the purposes of subsection (3) whether— a any information is presented fairly, or b an assessment is fair and reasonable, regard shall be had to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. 5 In this section any reference to expenditure— a in relation to the governing body of a school which has a delegated budget within the meaning of Part II of this Act (or, in relation to any time before the appointed day, Part II of the Education Act 1996), is a reference to expenditure out of the school’s budget share; or b in relation to the governing body of a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school within the meaning of that Act (where this section applies to such a school by virtue of section 105(10)), is a reference to expenditure out of maintenance grants paid under Chapter VI of Part III of that Act. Implementation of decision that school should cease to have selective admission arrangements. 108 1 Subsection (2) applies where the result of a ballot held under section 105 shows a simple majority of votes cast (by persons eligible to vote in the ballot) in favour of the grammar school or schools to which the ballot related ceasing to have selective admission arrangements. 2 The admission authority for a grammar school to which the ballot related shall secure that their admission arrangements are revised (in accordance with sections 88C to 88K or, as the case may be, 89 and 90) so that, as from the beginning of such school year as may be prescribed, the school no longer has selective admission arrangements. 3 Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that, in pursuance of subsection (2), a grammar school no longer has selective admission arrangements, he shall revoke the order made by him with respect to the school under section 104. Proposals by governing body of grammar school to end selective admission arrangements. 109 1 This section has effect for enabling the admission arrangements of a grammar school to be revised (otherwise than in circumstances where section 108(2) applies) so that the school no longer has selective admission arrangements and its admission arrangements instead either— a make no provision for selection by ability, or b make provision for one or more of the following, namely— i any selection by ability authorised by section 101, ii any selection by aptitude authorised by section 102, and iii any selection by ability such as is mentioned in section 99(2)(c). 2 Any such revision of the admission arrangements of a grammar school shall be one of the alterations to a maintained school which are prescribed under section 18 of the 2006 Act ; but any proposals for any such revision of the admission arrangements of a grammar school which is a community school shall be published under section 19 of the 2006 Act by the governing body and not by the local authority . 3 Regulations may provide— a that, in their application to any proposals for any such revision of the admission arrangements of a grammar school, any provision of sections 19 to 24 of the 2006 Act or regulations under those sections shall have effect with such modifications as may be prescribed; b that, in any prescribed circumstances following the making of a request for a ballot to be held under section 105, any such proposals under section 19 of the 2006 Act shall be of no effect. 4 Regulations made under section 105 may make provision, in relation to cases where any such proposals under section 19 of the 2006 Act have fallen to be implemented under regulations under section 24 of that Act , for requiring the school to which the proposals relate to be disregarded for the purposes of any regulations made under section 105(2). 5 Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that, by reason of the implementation of any such proposals, a grammar school no longer has selective admission arrangements, he shall revoke the order made by him with respect to the school under section 104. 6 In this section “ the 2006 Act ” means the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Part IV Other provisions about school education ... Home-school agreements. 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supplementary provisions about home-school agreements. 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extension of educational opportunities for Key Stage 4 pupils Extended work experience for Key Stage 4 pupils. 112 1 Section 560 of the Education Act 1996 (work experience during compulsory schooling) shall be amended as follows. 2 For subsections (1) and (2) there shall be substituted— 1 The enactments relating to the prohibition or regulation of the employment of children shall not apply to the employment of a child in his last two years of compulsory schooling if the employment is in pursuance of arrangements made— a by a local education authority, or b by the governing body of a school on behalf of such an authority, with a view to providing him with work experience as a part of his education. 2 For the purposes of subsection (1) a child shall be taken to be in his last two years of compulsory schooling as from the beginning of the last two school years at his school during the whole or part of which he is of compulsory school age. 3 In subsection (6) (disapplication of sections 495 and 496 of the Act), the words “or the governing body of a grant-maintained school” shall be omitted. Provision of secondary education for Key Stage 4 pupils by FE institutions. 113 1 In section 18(1) of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (principal powers of a further education corporation), after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted— aa in pursuance of arrangements made— i by a local education authority, or ii by the governing body of a school on behalf of such an authority, provide secondary education to pupils in the fourth key stage, and . 2 After section 52 of that Act there shall be inserted— Duty to safeguard pupils receiving secondary education. 52A 1 This section applies where secondary education is provided to pupils in the fourth key stage— a by a further education corporation in pursuance of arrangements falling within section 18(1)(aa) of this Act, or b by a designated institution in pursuance of arrangements made— i by a local education authority, or ii by the governing body of a school on behalf of such an authority. 2 The governing body of the corporation or institution shall secure that, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by regulations, no education is provided to a person who has attained the age of nineteen years in a room in which any such pupils are for the time being receiving secondary education. Food and drink provided on school premises etc Nutritional standards for school lunches. 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Requirements for food and drink provided on school premises etc 114A 1 Regulations may prescribe requirements which, subject to such exceptions as may be provided for by or under the regulations, are to be complied with in connection with— a food or drink provided on the premises of any school maintained by a local authority in England , or b food or drink provided at a place other than school premises by a local authority in England or the governing body of a school maintained by such an authority to any registered pupil at the school. 2 Regulations under this section may in particular— a specify nutritional standards, or other nutritional requirements, which are to be complied with; b require that drinking water is to be available, free of charge, on the premises of any school maintained by a local authority ; c require that specified descriptions of food or drink are not to be provided. 3 Requirements prescribed by virtue of subsection (1)(a) do not apply to food or drink brought on to the premises of a school maintained by a local eucation authority where the food or drink is brought on to those premises by any person for his own consumption. 4 Where a local authority or the governing body of a school maintained by such an authority provide food or drink— a to anyone on the premises of the school, or b to any registered pupil at the school at a place other than school premises, that authority or, as the case may be, that governing body must secure that any applicable provisions of the regulations are complied with. 5 Subsection (4) applies whether the food or drink is provided in pursuance of any statutory requirement or otherwise. 6 Where— a food or drink is provided on the premises of a school maintained by a local authority , b the provision is by a person (“X”) other than the authority or the governing body of the school, and c X uses or occupies the whole or a part of the premises in circumstances related to a use or occupation agreement made (whether by X or any other person) with the authority or the governing body, that authority or, as the case may be, that governing body must secure that any applicable provisions of the regulations are complied with. 7 A “ use or occupation agreement ”, in relation to the premises of a school, is an agreement or other arrangement relating to the use or occupation of the whole or any part of the premises. 8 Without prejudice to the generality of section 138(7), regulations under this section may prescribe— a different requirements in relation to different classes or descriptions of school as specified in the regulations; b different requirements in connection with food or drink provided by or to different classes or descriptions of person as specified in the regulations; c requirements which apply during different periods of the day as specified in the regulations. 9 A “ place other than school premises ” means a place other than the premises of any school maintained by a local authority . 10 References in this section to food or drink provided by a local authority or the governing body of a school include references to food or drink provided in pursuance of an agreement or other arrangement made by such an authority or body for the provision of food or drink. Extension of LEA functions concerning school lunches, etc. 115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transfer of local authority functions concerning school lunches, etc. to governing bodies. 116 After section 512 of the Education Act 1996 there shall be inserted— Transfer of functions under section 512 to governing bodies. 512A 1 The Secretary of State may by order make provision for imposing on the governing body of any school to which the order applies a duty or duties corresponding to one or more of the duties of the local education authority which are mentioned in subsection (2). 2 Those duties are— a the duty to provide school lunches in accordance with section 512(1A) and (1B); b the duty to provide school lunches free of charge in accordance with section 512(3)(a); and c the duty to provide milk free of charge in accordance with section 512(3)(b). 3 An order under this section may (subject to subsection (6)) apply to— a all maintained schools; or b any specified class of such schools; or c all such schools, or any specified class of such schools, maintained by specified local education authorities. 4 Where any duty falls to be performed by the governing body of a school by virtue of an order under this section— a the corresponding duty mentioned in subsection (2) shall no longer fall to be performed by the local education authority in relation to the school; and b if the duty corresponds to the one mentioned in subsection (2)(b) or (c), section 533(3) shall not apply to any school lunches or milk provided by the governing body in pursuance of the order. 5 An order under this section may provide for section 513(2) not to apply— a to local education authorities generally, or b to any specified local education authority, either in relation to all pupils for whom provision is made by the authority under section 513 or in relation to all such pupils who are of such ages as may be specified. 6 An order under this section shall not operate to— a impose any duty on the governing body of a school, or b relieve a local education authority of any duty in relation to a school, at any time when the school does not have a delegated budget; and such an order may provide for section 512(2)(b) above to have effect, in relation to any provision made at any such time by the local education authority for pupils at the school, with such modifications as may be specified. 7 In this section— “ delegated budget ” and “ maintained school ” have the same meaning as in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998; “ school lunch ” has the same meaning as in section 512 above; “ specified ” means specified in an order under this section. Part V Nursery education Nursery education Definition of “nursery education”. 117 In this Part “ nursery education ” means full-time or part-time education suitable for children who have not attained compulsory school age (whether provided at schools or elsewhere). General duty of local authority Duty of local authority as respects availability of nursery education. 118 1 A local authority in Wales shall secure that the provision (whether or not by them) of nursery education for children who— a have not attained compulsory school age, but b have attained such age as may be prescribed, is sufficient for their area. 2 In determining for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the provision of such education is sufficient for their area a local authority — a may have regard to any facilities which they expect to be available outside their area for providing such education; and b shall have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the National Assembly for Wales . Duties of local authority in respect of childcare 118A 1 A local authority shall review annually the sufficiency of childcare provision for their area. 2 In carrying out a review for the purposes of subsection (1), a local authority — a may have regard to any facilities which they expect to be available outside their area for providing childcare; and b shall have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. 3 A local authority shall also establish and maintain a service providing information to the public relating to the provision of childcare and related services in their area. 4 In relation to the function, form and content of a service established and maintained under subsection (3), a local authority shall have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. Early years development and childcare partnerships Early years development and childcare partnerships. 119 1 Every local authority in Wales shall establish for their area a body to be known as an early years development and childcare partnership (“ the partnership ”). 2 In establishing the partnership and determining its constitution the authority shall have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Assembly . 3 The authority may establish a sub-committee of the partnership for any part of their area. 4 The authority shall make arrangements— a for the meetings and proceedings of the partnership and any such sub-committee, and b for the partnership (and any such sub-committee) to be provided with accommodation and with such services as the authority consider appropriate. 5 The functions of the partnership shall be to work with the authority— a in reviewing the sufficiency of the provision of nursery education for the authority’s area for the purposes of section 118, . . . ab in reviewing the sufficiency of childcare provision for the authority’s area for the purposes of section 118A, ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Assembly may by order confer on early years development and childcare partnerships such additional functions as are specified in the order. Early years development and childcare plans Early years development and childcare plans. 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Approval, modification and review of statement of proposals. 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inspection of nursery education Inspection of nursery education in Wales . 122 1 Schedule 26 (inspections, etc. of providers of nursery education in Wales ) shall have effect. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Any register of nursery education inspectors established by the Chief Inspector for Wales under Schedule 1 to that Act shall be treated as established by him under Schedule 26 to this Act; and accordingly anything done under Schedule 1 to that Act in connection with the registration of (or any refusal to register) any person in that register shall, if effective immediately before the commencement of this section, continue to have effect as if done under Schedule 26 to this Act. 4 In subsection (3) “ the Chief Inspector for Wales ” means“ Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru . Further provisions relating to nursery education Children with special educational needs. 123 1 It shall be the duty of— a any local authority in England or other person providing relevant early years education , and b any person employed by such an authority or other person, or otherwise engaged to provide his services, in the provision of such education, to have regard to the provisions of the code of practice issued under section 77 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (in the case of education in England) .... 1A Subsection (1) does not apply in so far as the person in question is already under a duty to have regard to the provisions of the code of practice in question. 2 The code of practice in question may include practical guidance in respect of the provision of relevant early years education for children with special educational needs in circumstances where functions under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 ... do not fall to be discharged. 3 But unless the code of practice in question includes provision made by virtue of subsection (2)— a the Secretary of State shall publish a document explaining how the practical guidance contained in that code applies in circumstances where functions under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 ... 1996 do not fall to be discharged, and b the duty imposed by subsection (1) includes a duty to have regard to the provisions of that document. 3A Subsection (3B) applies if— a a local authority or other person providing relevant early years education for a child makes special educational provision for him because it is considered that he has special educational needs; b no EHC plan ... 1996 is maintained for the child; and c his parent has not previously been informed under subsection (3B) of the special educational provision made for him. 3B The local authority or other person concerned must inform the child’s parent that special educational provision is being made for him because it is considered that he has special educational needs. 4 In this section “ relevant early years education ” means— a in relation to England, early years provision as defined by section 20 of the Childcare Act 2006 which is— i provided under arrangements made by a local authority in England in pursuance of the duty imposed by section 7 of that Act (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision); or ii provided under arrangements made by a local authority in pursuance of any duty imposed under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016 (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision); b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Travel arrangements for children receiving nursery education otherwise than at school. 124 After section 509 of the Education Act 1996 there shall be inserted— Travel arrangements for children receiving nursery education otherwise than at school. 509A 1 A local education authority may provide a child with assistance under this section if they are satisfied that, without such assistance, he would be prevented from attending at any premises— a which are not a school or part of a school, but b at which relevant nursery education is provided, for the purpose of receiving such education there. 2 The assistance which may be provided for a child under this section consists of either— a making arrangements (whether for the provision of transport or otherwise) for the purpose of facilitating the child’s attendance at the premises concerned, or b paying the whole or any part of his reasonable travel expenses. 3 When considering whether to provide a child with assistance under this section in connection with his attendance at any premises, a local education authority may have regard (among other things) to whether it would be reasonable to expect alternative arrangements to be made for him to receive relevant nursery education at any other premises (whether nearer to his home or otherwise). 4 Where the assistance to be provided for a child under this section consists of making arrangements for the provision of transport, the authority may, if they consider it appropriate to do so, determine that the assistance shall not be so provided unless— a the child’s parent, or b the person providing the relevant nursery education concerned, agrees to make to the authority such payments in respect of the provision of the transport (not exceeding the cost to the authority of its provision) as they may determine. 5 In this section “ relevant nursery education ” means nursery education which is provided— a by a local education authority, or b by any other person— i who is in receipt of financial assistance given by such an authority and whose provision of nursery education is taken into account by the authority in formulating proposals for the purposes of section 120(2)(a) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, or ii who is in receipt of grants under section 1 of the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996. PART 5A TEACHERS AND STAFF AT INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS HAVING A RELIGIOUS CHARACTER Employment of teachers at independent schools having a religious character 124A 1 This section applies to an independent school which has a religious character , other than an Academy to which section 124AA applies . 2 Preference may be given, in connection with the appointment, promotion or remuneration of teachers at the school, to persons— a whose religious opinions are in accordance with the tenets of the religion or the religious denomination specified in relation to the school under section 124B(2), or b who attend religious worship in accordance with those tenets, or c who give, or are willing to give, religious education at the school in accordance with those tenets. 3 Regard may be had, in connection with the termination of the employment or engagement of any teacher at the school, to any conduct on his part which is incompatible with the precepts, or with the upholding of the tenets, of the religion or religious denomination so specified. Staff at certain Academies with religious character 124AA 1 This section applies if— a an Academy order has been made in respect of a foundation or voluntary controlled school which is designated by order under section 69(3) as a school having a religious character, b the school has been converted into an Academy (see section 4(3) of the Academies Act 2010), and c the Secretary of State has not made an order in respect of the school under subsection (2). 2 The Secretary of State may by order provide that this section does not apply to a school specified in the order. 3 Where there are more than two teachers at the Academy, the teachers must include persons who— a are selected for their fitness and competence to give religious education in accordance with the tenets of the religion or the religious denomination specified in relation to the Academy in the order under section 69(3) (as applied by section 6(8) of the Academies Act 2010), and b are specifically appointed to do so. A teacher employed or engaged at the Academy in pursuance of this subsection is a “reserved teacher”, and any other teacher at the Academy is a “non-reserved teacher”. 4 The number of reserved teachers in the Academy must not exceed one-fifth of the total number of teachers, including the principal (and for this purpose, where the total number of teachers is not a multiple of five, it is to be treated as if it were the next higher multiple of five). 5 In connection with the appointment of a person to be the principal of the Academy, in a case where the principal is not to be a reserved teacher, regard may be had to that person's ability and fitness to preserve and develop the religious character of the Academy. 6 Preference may be given, in connection with the appointment, promotion or remuneration of reserved teachers at the Academy, to persons— a whose religious opinions are in accordance with the tenets of the religion or the religious denomination specified in relation to the Academy in the order under section 69(3) (as applied by section 6(8) of the Academies Act 2010), or b who attend religious worship in accordance with those tenets, or c who give, or are willing to give, religious education at the Academy in accordance with those tenets. 7 Regard may be had, in connection with the termination of employment or engagement of any reserved teacher at the Academy, to any conduct on the part of the teacher which is incompatible with the precepts, or with the upholding of the tenets, of the religion or religious denomination specified in the order under section 69(3) (as applied by section 6(8) of the Academies Act 2010). 8 No person, other than a reserved teacher, is to be disqualified by reason of their religious opinions, or of their attending or omitting to attend religious worship— a from being a teacher at the Academy, or b from being employed or engaged for the purposes of the Academy otherwise than as a teacher. 9 A non-reserved teacher must not be required to give religious education. 10 A non-reserved teacher must not receive any less remuneration than any other non-reserved teacher, or be deprived of, or disqualified for, any promotion or other advantage available to other non-reserved teachers— a for the reason that the teacher gives, or does not give, religious education, or b for reasons related to the teacher's religious opinions or to the teacher's attending or omitting to attend religious worship. Designation of independent schools as having a religious character 124B A1 Subsections (1) and (3) of section 68A (which relate to the designation of foundation or voluntary schools in Wales as having a religious character) apply in relation to an independent school in Wales as they apply in relation to a foundation or voluntary school in Wales, but as if— a in subsection (1) of that section, the references to Part 2 and the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 were a reference to this Part, and b in subsection (3) of that section, the reference to subsection (2) of that section were a reference to subsection (2) of this section. 1 Subsections (3) and (5) of section 69 (which relate to the designation of foundation or voluntary schools in England as having a religious character) apply in relation to an independent school in England (other than an alternative provision Academy) as they apply in relation to a foundation or voluntary school, but as if— a in subsection (3), the reference to Part 2 were a reference to this Part, and b in subsection (5), the reference to subsection (4) of that section were a reference to subsection (2) of this section. 2 An order made under section 68A by virtue of subsection (A1) or under section 69(3) by virtue of subsection (1) shall specify, in relation to each school designated by the order, the religion or religious denomination (or as the case may be each religion or religious denomination) in accordance with whose tenets education is provided at the school or the school is conducted. Part VI Partnership arrangements to secure provision of certain further education in Wales. 125 1 The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 shall be amended as follows. 2 In section 5 (administration of funds by further education funding councils), after subsection (5) there shall be inserted— 5A The Further Education Funding Council for Wales may give financial support to a local education authority for an area in Wales for the purposes of any partnership arrangement made by the authority to which section 60A of this Act applies. 3 In section 18 (principal powers of a further education corporation)— a in subsection (1), the words “and those powers” to the end shall be omitted, and b after subsection (3) there shall be added— 4 In addition to the powers conferred by subsection (1) above, a further education corporation which conducts one or more educational institutions situated in Wales may— a secure the provision of full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who are over compulsory school age but under the age of 19, but only if that provision is made under a partnership arrangement to which section 60A of this Act applies, and b supply goods or services in connection with the securing of the provision of education under paragraph (a) above. 5 Subsections (2) and (3) above shall apply for the purposes of subsection (4) above as they apply for the purposes of subsection (1), except that references in those subsections to the provision of education shall be construed as references to the securing of the provision of education. 6 The powers conferred by subsection (1) above and the powers conferred by subsection (4) above are referred to in section 19 of this Act as the corporation’s principal powers. 4 After section 60 there shall be inserted— Partnership arrangements to secure provision of certain further education in Wales. 60A 1 An arrangement is a partnership arrangement to which this section applies if— a it is made by— i one or more local education authorities for areas in Wales, and ii one or more governing bodies of Welsh further education institutions, for the purpose of securing the provision of education within subsection (3), b it provides for the facilities connected with the provision of education under the arrangement to be provided— i in part, at one or more schools maintained by the local education authority which is a party to the arrangement (or where more than one local education authority is a party, by each of them), and ii in part, at one or more Welsh further education institutions conducted by the governing body which is a party to the arrangement (or, where more than one governing body is a party, by each of them), c it is made with the consent of— i the Further Education Funding Council for Wales, and ii the governing body of each school at which, in accordance with the arrangement, facilities are to be provided, and d it is approved by the Secretary of State. 2 For the purposes of subsection (1) above— a “ Welsh further education institution ” means an institution which is within the further education sector and is situated in Wales, and b a designated institution shall be treated as conducted by the governing body of the institution. 3 Education is within this subsection if it is full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who are over compulsory school age but under the age of 19. 4 The following bodies shall exercise their functions with a view to securing that any education provided under a partnership arrangement to which this section applies is provided and funded in accordance with the arrangement— a each local education authority which is a party to the arrangement; b each governing body of an institution (or institutions) within the further education sector which is a party to the arrangement; c the Further Education Funding Council for Wales; d each governing body of a school which consented to the arrangement. 5 Schedule 5A to this Act shall have effect in relation to partnership arrangements to which this section applies. 5 After Schedule 5 there shall be inserted the Schedule set out in Schedule 27 to this Act. Provisions relating to education provided under partnership arrangements. 126 1 The Education Act 1996 shall have effect in relation to education provided under relevant partnership arrangements subject to the following provisions of this section. 2 For the purposes of that Act— a full-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who are over compulsory school age but under the age of 19 which is provided at a school at which education within section 2(2)(a) of that Act is also provided shall not be regarded as secondary education, and b a person for whom full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of such persons is being provided at a school shall not be regarded as a pupil, if that education is being provided under a relevant partnership arrangement. 3 Accordingly, education within subsection (2)(a) above which is provided under a relevant partnership arrangement shall, for the purposes of that Act, be regarded as further education. 4 In this section “ relevant partnership arrangement ” means a partnership arrangement to which section 60A of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (as inserted by section 125(4)) applies. Part VII Miscellaneous and general Code of practice for local authorities and maintained schools in Wales Code of practice for securing effective relationships between local authorities and maintained schools in Wales . 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial assistance to non-maintained schools Financial assistance to non-maintained schools. 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payment of school expenses; grant of scholarships, etc. 129 For section 518 of the Education Act 1996 there shall be substituted— Payment of school expenses; grant of scholarships, etc. 518 1 A local education authority, for the purpose of enabling persons to take advantage of any educational facilities available to them, may in such circumstances as may be specified in or determined in accordance with regulations— a pay such expenses of children attending community, foundation, voluntary or special schools as may be necessary to enable them to take part in any school activities, b grant scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries and other allowances in respect of persons over compulsory school age. 2 Regulations may make provision— a for requiring a local education authority to make, in relation to each financial year, a determination relating to the extent to which they propose to exercise their power under subsection (1)(b) in that year; and b for authorising an authority to determine not to exercise that power in a financial year— i generally, ii in such cases as may be prescribed, or iii in such cases as may be determined by the authority. Transfer of assisted places. 130 1 In section 3(2) of the Education (Schools) Act 1997 (regulations for purposes of transitional arrangements), after paragraph (f) there shall be added— g provide for the Secretary of State, in a case where he is satisfied that it is reasonable to do so in view of any particular circumstances relating to a pupil who holds (or has at any time held) an assisted place provided by a school under section 2(1), to authorise another school which is either— i a former participating school, or ii a new school authorised to provide assisted places by virtue of paragraph (f) above, to provide for the pupil under section 2(1) the assisted place which the first-mentioned school was authorised to provide. 2 In section 75A(9A) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (regulations in connection with assisted places)— a the word “and” immediately preceding paragraph (b) shall be omitted; and b after that paragraph there shall be inserted ; and c provide for the Secretary of State, in a case where he is satisfied that it is reasonable to do so in view of any particular circumstances relating to a pupil who holds (or has, at any time since the beginning of the first term of the 1997-98 school year, held) an assisted place at a school under a scheme operated by virtue of subsection (1) above, to authorise another school which is, or is treated as, a participating school to provide for the pupil under such a scheme the assisted place which the first-mentioned school was authorised to provide. Abolition of corporal punishment Abolition of corporal punishment in schools etc. 131 1 For section 548 of the Education Act 1996 there shall be substituted— No right to give corporal punishment. 548 1 Corporal punishment given by, or on the authority of, a member of staff to a child— a for whom education is provided at any school, or b for whom education is provided, otherwise than at school, under any arrangements made by a local education authority, or c for whom specified nursery education is provided otherwise than at school, cannot be justified in any proceedings on the ground that it was given in pursuance of a right exercisable by the member of staff by virtue of his position as such. 2 Subsection (1) applies to corporal punishment so given to a child at any time, whether at the school or other place at which education is provided for the child, or elsewhere. 3 The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this section. 4 Any reference to giving corporal punishment to a child is to doing anything for the purpose of punishing that child (whether or not there are other reasons for doing it) which, apart from any justification, would constitute battery. 5 However, corporal punishment shall not be taken to be given to a child by virtue of anything done for reasons that include averting— a an immediate danger of personal injury to, or b an immediate danger to the property of, any person (including the child himself). 6 “ Member of staff ”, in relation to the child concerned, means— a any person who works as a teacher at the school or other place at which education is provided for the child, or b any other person who (whether in connection with the provision of education for the child or otherwise)— i works at that school or place, or ii otherwise provides his services there (whether or not for payment), and has lawful control or charge of the child. 7 “Child” (except in subsection (8)) means a person under the age of 18. 8 “ Specified nursery education ” means full-time or part-time education suitable for children who have not attained compulsory school age which is provided— a by a local education authority; or b by any other person— i who is (or is to be) in receipt of financial assistance given by such an authority and whose provision of nursery education is taken into account by the authority in formulating proposals for the purposes of section 120(2)(a) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, or ii who is (or is to be) in receipt of grants under section 1 of the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996; or c (otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b)) in any educational institution which would fall within section 4(1) above (definition of “school”) but for the fact that it provides part-time, rather than full-time, primary education. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The funding authorities Dissolution of Funding Agency for Schools. 132 1 The Funding Agency for Schools shall be dissolved on such date as the Secretary of State may by order specify (“ the dissolution date ”). 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Any property, rights and liabilities to which the Agency are entitled or subject immediately before the dissolution date (whether or not capable of being transferred or assigned by the Agency) shall by virtue of this section become property, rights and liabilities of the Secretary of State on that date. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Every agreement (whether written or not), and every instrument or other document, which relates to any property, right or liability of the Agency to which subsection (5) applies shall have effect, so far as may be required for continuing its effect on or after the dissolution date, as if— a where the Agency is a party to it, the Secretary of State were substituted as that party, b for any reference to the Agency there were substituted a reference to the Secretary of State, c for any reference (however worded and whether express or implied) to the chairman, the chief officer or any member of the Agency there were substituted a reference to such officer or officers as the Secretary of State may appoint for the purpose, and d for any reference to the office or place of business of the Agency there were substituted a reference to the principal office of the Secretary of State. Removal of power to establish Schools Funding Council for Wales. 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School and nursery inspections Publication of inspection reports. 134 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 In section 39 of the Education Act 1997 (reports of inspections of local authorities ), at the end of subsection (4) (publication of such reports) there shall be added “; and section 42A(2) to (4) of the School Inspections Act 1996 shall apply in relation to the publication of any such report as they apply in relation to the publication of a report under any of the provisions mentioned in section 42A(2).” Miscellaneous amendments relating to school and nursery inspections. 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Education Assets Board Change of name of Education Assets Board. 136 1 The Education Assets Board shall be known instead as the Education Transfer Council. 2 For any reference to the Education Assets Board— a in any statutory provision (other than this section), or b in any instrument or document, there shall be substituted, as respects any time after the commencement of this section, a reference to the Education Transfer Council. 3 The Secretary of State may by order specify a different name by which the Council are to be known; and an order under this section may make such provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the change of name effected by the order (including provision for amending statutory provisions). Education Transfer Council: alteration of functions and provision for dissolution. 137 1 Schedule 29 (which amends section 198 of, and Schedule 10 to, the Education Reform Act 1988, which relate to the functions of the Education Transfer Council) shall have effect. 2 The Secretary of State may by order make such further amendments of those provisions of that Act as he considers expedient. 3 Regulations may make provision— a for the dissolution of the Education Transfer Council by order of the Secretary of State and for enabling him to determine how any property, rights and liabilities of the Council are to be dealt with in connection with their dissolution; b for the subsequent establishment of a new body with such name as may be prescribed and constituted in the same manner as, or similarly to, the Council; c for dealing with transfers of property, rights and liabilities under this Act , under the Education Reform Act 1988 or under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 at a time when the Council has been dissolved and either— i a body has been subsequently established under paragraph (b), or ii no such body has been so established. 4 Regulations under subsection (3) may, in connection with any matters falling within paragraph (b) or (c) of that subsection— a modify any of the provisions of section 197 or 198 of, or Schedule 8 or 10 to, the Education Reform Act 1988 or section 34 or 36 of, or Schedule 5 or 7 to, the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 ; b apply any of those provisions with or without modifications; c make provision corresponding or similar to any of those provisions. Supplementary Orders and regulations. 138 1 Subject to subsection (2), any power of the Secretary of State or the Assembly to make an order or regulations under this Act shall be exercised by statutory instrument. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply to any order under— a section 11(5), 20(5), 21(8), 73, 82, 111(3)(a) , 124AA(2) or 142(1); or b paragraph 5 of Schedule 5, paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 7, ..., paragraph 1 of Schedule 14, paragraph 10 of Schedule 21, paragraph 4(2) , 7(3)(c) or 8A of Schedule 22 or paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 32. 3 Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a statutory instrument containing any order or regulations made by the Secretary of State under this Act shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. 4 Subsection (3) does not apply to any order under— a section 20(7), ... 45C(2), 69(3), 85(5), 104 ... or 145; or b ... paragraph 1 of Schedule 32. 5 Subsection (3) also does not apply to— a any order under— i section 1(5), ii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; or b the first regulations to be made under— i section 38(3) or 39(1), ii section ... , 47 or 48(1), or iii section 105 or 108(2); or c the first regulations to be made under section 45AA, or d the first regulations to be made under section 47 in relation to England after the coming into force of paragraph 6 of Schedule 16 to the Education Act 2005, and no such order or regulations shall be made (whether alone or with other provisions) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order or regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament. 6 If a draft of the statutory instrument containing any such regulations under section 105 would, apart from this subsection, be treated for the purposes of the Standing Orders of either House of Parliament as a hybrid instrument, it shall proceed in that House as if it were not such an instrument. 7 Any order or regulations under this Act may make different provision for different cases, circumstances or areas and may contain such incidental, supplemental, saving or transitional provisions as the Secretary of State or the Assembly thinks fit. 8 Any order or regulations under this Act may make different provision in relation to England and Wales respectively. 9 Nothing in this Act shall be read as affecting the generality of subsection (7). Regulations made by Welsh Ministers under section 71(7A) or sections 89 to 90 138A 1 Any power of the Welsh Ministers to make regulations under section 71(7A) or sections 89 to 90 shall be exercisable by statutory instrument. 2 A statutory instrument containing any such regulations made by the Welsh Ministers shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales. 3 Any such regulations may make different provision for different cases, circumstances or areas and may contain such incidental, supplemental, saving or transitional provisions as the Welsh Ministers think fit. Financial provisions. 139 1 There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament— a any sums required for the making by the Secretary of State of grants or loans under this Act; b any other expenses of the Secretary of State under this Act; and c any increase attributable to this Act in the sums so payable by virtue of any other Act. 2 There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund— a any sums received by the Secretary of State under or by virtue of this Act; and b any fees received by ... Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru , under Schedule 26. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals. 140 1 The minor and consequential amendments set out in Schedule 30 shall have effect. 2 Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in any enactment amended by this Act— a to a maintained school, or b to a community, foundation or voluntary school or a community or foundation special school, is a reference to such a school within the meaning of this Act. 3 The enactments specified in Schedule 31 (which include certain spent enactments) are repealed to the extent specified. 4 Any articles of government of a school which are in force under the Education Act 1996 immediately before the appointed day shall cease to have effect on that day. Construction Minor authorities. 141 1 For the purposes of this Act a maintained school serves an area for which there are one or more minor authorities if the area served by the school is— a a parish or community; b an area in England which is not within a parish and is not situated in— i a county for which there is no council, or ii a county in which there are no district councils; or c an area comprising two or more areas each of which falls within paragraph (a) or (b). 2 Where the area served by the school is a parish— a the parish council (if there is one), or b the parish meeting (if there is no parish council), is the minor authority in relation to the school. 3 Where the area served by the school is a community, the community council is the minor authority in relation to the school. 4 Where the area served by the school is an area falling within subsection (1)(b), any district council for the whole or part of the area is a minor authority in relation to the school. 5 Where the area served by the school is an area falling within subsection (1)(c), each of the relevant authorities is a minor authority in relation to the school. 6 In subsection (5) “ the relevant authorities ” means the bodies which, if the two or more constituent areas referred to in subsection (1)(c) were taken separately, would be minor authorities in relation to the school. 7 References in this section to the area served by a school are references to the area appearing to the local authority to be served by the school. General interpretation. 142 1 In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— ... “ the Assembly ” means the National Assembly for Wales; “ Church in Wales school ” means a foundation or voluntary school in the Province of Wales in relation to which the religion or religious denomination specified under section 68A is “ Church in Wales ” and “ appropriate diocesan authority ”, in relation to such a school, means the Diocesan Board of Finance for the diocese of the Church in Wales in which the school is situated or such other person as the Welsh Ministers may by order designate in respect of that diocese; “ Church of England school ” means a foundation or voluntary school in the Province of Canterbury or York in relation to which the religion or religious denomination specified under section 69(4) is “ Church of England ” and “ appropriate diocesan authority ”, in relation to such a school, means the Diocesan Board of Education for the diocese of the Church of England in which the school is situated; “ community or foundation special school ” means a community special school or a foundation special school; “ contract of employment ”, “ employee ” and “ employer ” have the same meaning as in the Employment Rights Act 1996; “ employment ” (except in section 92(4)) means employment under a contract of employment, and “ employed ” shall be construed accordingly; “ exclude ”, in relation to the exclusion of a child from a school, means exclude on disciplinary grounds (and “ exclusion ” shall be construed accordingly); “ foundation governor ”, in relation to a foundation school, a foundation special school or a voluntary school, means a person appointed as a foundation governor in accordance with regulations under section 19 of the Education Act 2002; “ maintained school ” (except in Part III) has the meaning given by section 20(7); “ prescribed ” (except in sections 89 to 90) means prescribed by regulations; “ reception class ” means a class in which education is provided which is suitable to the requirements of pupils aged five and any pupils under or over that age whom it is expedient to educate with pupils of that age; “ regulations ” (except where otherwise stated or where the function of making the regulations has been transferred to the Welsh Ministers in relation to Wales) means regulations made by the Secretary of State under this Act; “ relevant age group ”, in relation to a school, means an age group in which pupils are normally admitted (or, as the case may be, will normally be admitted) to the school; “ Roman Catholic Church school ” means a foundation or voluntary school in relation to which the religion or religious denomination specified under section 68A or 69(4) is “ Roman Catholic ” and “ appropriate diocesan authority ”, in relation to such a school, means the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese in which the school is situated; “ school maintained by a local authority ”, in relation to any time on or after the appointed day, means a community, foundation or voluntary school, a community or foundation special school, a maintained nursery school or a pupil referral unit; “ statutory provision ” means a provision contained in an Act or in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978. 2 Before making an order in respect of any diocese in Wales in exercise of the power conferred by the definition of “appropriate diocesan authority” the Welsh Ministers shall consult the bishop for the diocese. 3 Any reference in this Act to the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to a school under section 68A, section 69(4) or 124B(2) shall be construed, in a case where more than one religion or religious denomination is so specified, as including a reference to any of those religions or religious denominations. 4 As a result of subsection (3), subsection (1) has the effect that a school may, for example, be both a Church of England school and a Roman Catholic Church school and so have a different appropriate diocesan authority in each of those capacities; and, in the case of a school with two appropriate diocesan authorities, any reference in this Act (or Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006) to “ the appropriate diocesan authority ” is— a in relation to anything required to be done by or in relation to that authority, a reference to both of the authorities concerned; or b in relation to anything authorised to be done by or in relation to that authority, a reference to either or both of the authorities concerned (or, in the context ... or of section 64(4) or (6) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 , to both of them acting together). 5 For the purposes of this Act children are to be regarded as admitted to a school for nursery education if— a in the case of a school in England, they are admitted for early years provision as defined by section 20 of the Childcare Act 2006 and are not, or are not to be, placed on admission in a reception class or any more senior class, and b in the case of a school in Wales, if they are, or are to be, placed on admission in a nursery class. 6 For the purposes of this Act references to disposing of land include references to— a granting or disposing of any interest in land; b entering into a contract to dispose of land or to grant or dispose of any such interest; and c granting an option to purchase any land or any such interest. 7 For the purposes of this Act— a a person employed by a local authority is to be regarded as employed to work at a school if his employment with the authority for the time being involves work at that school; and b a person employed by a local authority is to be regarded as employed to work solely at a school if his only employment with the authority (disregarding any employment under a separate contract with the authority) is for the time being at that school. 8 This Act shall be construed as one with the Education Act 1996; and (without prejudice to their generality) paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 39 to that Act (construction of references etc.) apply to references in this Act to provisions of that Act. 9 Where, however, an expression is given for the purposes of any provision of this Act a meaning different from that given to it for the purposes of that Act, the meaning given for the purposes of that provision shall apply instead of the one given for the purposes of that Act. 10 Subsection (1) of section 576 of that Act (meaning of “parent”) shall, in its application for the purposes of— a section 43 or 62(2) of this Act, or b paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 or paragraph 4 or 14 of Schedule 9 to this Act, be taken as referring only to persons within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection who are individuals. Index. 143 The expressions listed in the left-hand column below are defined by, or (as the case may be) are to be interpreted in accordance with, the provisions of this Act listed in the right-hand column in relation to those expressions. Expression Relevant provision ability (in Chapter II of Part III) section 99(5) adjudicator section 25(3) admission arrangements (in Part III in relation to a maintained school) sections 88(2) and 99(5) admission authority (in Chapter I of Part III in relation to a maintained school) section 88(1) admitted to a school for nursery education section 142(5) alteration (in Part II in the context of a prescribed alteration to a maintained school) section 28(11) appeal panel (in Chapter I of Part III) section 84(6) appointed day (except in Part I of Schedule 32) section 20(7) appropriate diocesan authority (in relation to a Church in Wales, Church of England or Roman Catholic Church school) section 142(1) and (4) appropriate further education funding council section 142(1) area (in Part II) section 28(11) Assembly section 142(1) budget share (in Part II) section 47(1) Chief Inspector (in Chapter IV of Part I) section 14(4) child (in Chapter I of Part III but not in sections 96 and 97) section 84(6) child looked after by a local authority (in Chapter 1 of Part 3) section 84(7) Church in Wales school section 142(1) Church of England school section 142(1) class (in Chapter I of Part I) section 4 community or foundation special school section 142(1) “contract of employment” and other expressions relating to employment section 142(1) and (7) discontinuing, and implementing proposals to discontinue, a school (in Part II in relation to a local authority ) section 29(10) disposing of land section 142(6) education action zone (in Chapter III of Part I) section 10(1) exclude, exclusion (in relation to the exclusion of a child from a school) section 142(1) foundation (in relation to a foundation or voluntary school) (and having a foundation) section 21(3) foundation body section 21(4) foundation governor section 142(1) governing body (in Chapter III of Part I) section 10(6) (of a maintained school or of a school maintained by a local authority ) (in Chapter IV of Part II) section 45(3) grammar school (in Chapter II of Part III) section 104(7) group (in relation to a foundation body) section 21(4) individual schools budget (in Part II) section 45A(3) infant class (in Chapter I of Part I) section 4 land or other property held on trust, or by trustees, for the purposes of a school section 21(3)(c) . . . . . . local authority (in relation to a school maintained, or proposed to be maintained, by such an authority) section 22(8) local schools budget (in Part II) section 46(1) maintain (in relation to a maintained school or a maintained nursery school) section 22(8) maintained school (generally) section 20(7) . . . . . . (in Chapter IV of Part II in a context referring to a local authority ) section 45(3) (in Chapter I of Part III) section 84(6) (in Chapter II of Part III) section 99(5) maintained nursery school section 22(9) member of the Inspectorate (in Chapter IV of Part I) section 14(4) minor authority section 141 new school (in Chapter IV of Part II) section 45(4) non-schools education budget (in Part 2) Section 45A(1) nursery education (in Part V) section 117 ordinary teaching session (in Chapter I of Part I) section 4 participating school (in Chapter III of Part I in relation to an education action zone) section 10(6) prescribed (generally) section 142(1) (in sections 89 to 90) section 90ZA promoters (in Part II) in relation to Wales section 28(2) ... school teacher (in Chapter I of Part I in relation to an infant class) section 4 reception class section 142(1) regulations (generally) section 142(1) (in sections 89 to 90) section 90ZA relevant age group section 142(1) relevant standard number (in Chapter I of Part III) section 84(6) right to a delegated budget (in Part II) section 49(7) Roman Catholic Church school section 142(1) scheme (in Part II in relation to a maintained school) section 48(5) school having a delegated budget (in Part II) section 49(7) school maintained by a local authority (generally) section 142(1) (in Chapter IV of Part II) section 45(3) school opening date section 33(6) . . . . . . school requiring special measures (in Chapter IV of Part I) section 14(4) school which has a religious character in England (in Part 2 in relation to a foundation or voluntary school) section 69(3) (in Part 5A in relation to an independent school) sections 69(3) and 124B(1). school in Wales which has a religious character (in Part 2 in relation to a foundation or voluntary school) section 68A(1) (in Part 5A in relation to an independent school) sections 68A(1) and 124B(A1) school which has selective admission arrangements (in Chapter II of Part III) section 104(2) schools budget (in Part 2) section 45A(2) specified religion or religious denomination section 142(3) statutory provision section 142(1) Final provisions Transitional provisions etc. 144 1 Regulations may at any time make such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient for the general purposes, or any particular purposes, of this Act or in consequence of any of its provisions or for giving full effect to it. 2 Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision— a for enabling any authority or body by whom any functions will become exercisable on the appointed day by virtue of any provision made by or under this Act to take before that day any steps (such as the establishment of committees or the undertaking of consultation) which are necessary or expedient in preparation for the exercise of those functions; b for requiring any body— i by whom any functions will cease to be exercisable at any time, or ii who are required to be reconstituted as from any time, by virtue of any provision made by or under this Act to take before that time any steps (such as the provision of information, the furnishing of other assistance or the taking of any decision) which are necessary or expedient in preparation for the exercise of functions conferred on any authority or other body, by virtue of any such provision, as from that time or (as the case may be) in preparation for their reconstitution; c for the making before the appointed day of arrangements for securing the satisfactory operation from that day of any such provision and for defraying the cost of any such arrangements; d for prohibiting or restricting the taking of steps before the appointed day which, by virtue of any such provision, will cease to be capable of being taken as from that day; e for enabling the determination under the regulations of matters pending immediately before the appointed day; f for any provision of this Act which comes into force before— i another such provision has come into force, or ii anything falling to be done under another such provision (such as the approval of a school organisation plan) has been done, to have effect, until that other provision has come into force or (as the case may be) that thing has been done, with such modifications as are specified in the regulations; g for amending, repealing or revoking (with or without savings) any statutory provision passed or made before the appointed day, for applying any such provision (with or without modification) and for making savings or additional savings from the effect of any amendment or repeal made by this Act. 3 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) or any provision of subsection (2), regulations under subsection (1) may provide— a for any relevant provision to apply (with or without modification) to, or to any description of— i schools maintained by a local authority within the meaning of the Education Act 1996, or ii grant-maintained or grant-maintained special schools within the meaning of that Act; b for any provision so applied, or any provision of the regulations, to have effect in relation to schools despite anything in their articles or instruments of government; c for any reference in this Act to the appointed day to have effect instead as a reference to such day as is specified in the regulations; and accordingly references to the appointed day in subsection (2) include, in relation to any purposes for which any provision made by virtue of paragraph (c) above has effect, references to any such other day as is mentioned in that paragraph. 4 In paragraph (a) of subsection (3) “ relevant provision ” means— a (in relation to sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of that paragraph) any provision of the Education Acts which is expressed to apply to, or to any description of, schools maintained by a local authority within the meaning of this Act, or b (in relation only to sub-paragraph (ii) of that paragraph) any provision of the Education Acts which is expressed to apply to, or to any description of, schools maintained by a local authority within the meaning of the Education Act 1996; and in that paragraph and this subsection “ school ” includes a proposed school. 5 The amendments that may be made under subsection (2)(g) shall be in addition (and without prejudice) to those made by any other provision of this Act. 6 Nothing in this Act shall be read as prejudicing the generality of subsection (1). 7 The transitional provisions and savings in Schedule 32 shall have effect. Short title, commencement and extent. 145 1 This Act may be cited as the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. 2 This Act shall be included in the list of Education Acts set out in section 578 of the Education Act 1996. 3 Subject to subsections (4) and (5), this Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint; and different days may be appointed for different provisions and for different purposes. 4 The following provisions come into force on the day on which this Act is passed— sections 1 to 4; sections 20 and 21; section 36(3); section 82; sections 84 and 85; section 130; sections 138, 139, 141 to 144 and this section; Schedule 2; Parts I and III of Schedule 11; paragraph 224 of Schedule 30 (and section 140(1) so far as relating thereto); and Schedule 32. 5 The following provisions come into force on the day on which this Act is passed, but for the purposes only of the preparation of instruments of government and the constitution of governing bodies and the exercise (in relation to those or any other matters) of any power to make regulations— sections 36(1) and (2) and 37(1) and (2); and Schedules 9, 10 and 12. 6 Subject to subsections (7) and (8), this Act extends to England and Wales only. 7 Section 130(2) extends to Scotland only; and this section extends also to Scotland. 8 The amendment or (subject to subsection (9)) repeal by this Act of an enactment extending to Scotland or Northern Ireland extends also to Scotland or, as the case may be, Northern Ireland, and section 140 extends accordingly. 9 The entry in Schedule 31 relating to the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 extends to Scotland only.