Part 1: Children and Schools
10.This Part provides for a number of measures relating to children and schools.
11.It requires school inspections by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (“the Chief Inspector”) to take into account the needs of pupils who have a disability or special educational needs (SEN). It provides for an additional right for parents of children with SEN to appeal to the Tribunal when a local authority decides not to alter a child’s statement following a review under section 328(5)(b) of the Education Act 1996 (“the EA 1996”).
12.It makes changes to existing legislation on exceptional provision for those children who are not being educated in a school, or at home.
13.The Part makes changes to the powers of governing bodies of maintained schools in England to allow them to use their delegated budget to spend money on wider community purposes, and to allow designated governing bodies to be involved in the establishment of new maintained schools and Academies.
14.The Part confers power on Local Safeguarding Children Boards (“LSCBs”) in England and Wales to require the supply of information for the purpose of their functions. It makes provision for the Chief Inspector to review the operation of LSCBs in England.