Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations are made under section 19 of the Education Act 1997 and section 63 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. They come into force on 1st September 1999 and replace the Education (School Performance Targets) (Wales) Regulations 1998. The main change is to require the governing body of every maintained school providing secondary education to set final, reviewed and provisional targets in respect of pupils' unauthorised absence from school for 1, 2 and 3 years ahead respectively (regulation 7). Information concerning these targets and the actual unauthorised absence rate will have to be published every year with the governing body’s annual report.
The governing bodies of maintained schools providing education suitable for pupils in the second key stage, third key stage, or pupils aged 15 years will, as before, be required to set final, reviewed and provisional targets for 1, 2 and 3 years ahead respectively in respect of the performance of pupils in certain tests and public examinations (or vocational qualifications) (regulations 4–6). Apart from some presentational changes there are two minor changes. First, the school year for vocational qualifications has been redefined to start on 1st September instead of 1st August. Secondly, schools are now offered an alternative way of presenting targets and attainment results for the respective performance of girls and boys. Information concerning performance targets and pupils attainment results will have to be published every year with the governing body’s annual report as before.