12 November 2004
3.The Act introduces new ministerial powers covering education authorities and grant-aided schools, and revises and amends existing legislation governing independent schools.
4.The Act is in 3 parts.
5.Part 1 – Power of Scottish Ministers to require action by schools and education authorities – provides the Scottish Ministers with powers to direct education authorities and the managers of grant-aided schools to take specific action to secure improvement following inspections by HMIE.
6.Part 2 – Independent Schools – revises and amends the legislation governing independent schools within the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (the “1980 Act”). It:
amends the definition of an independent school;
revises and amends the existing provisions for registration of an independent school;
revises and amends the existing provisions for regulating independent schools;
abolishes the Independent Schools Tribunal; and
provides that appeals against decisions made by the Scottish Ministers in relation to independent schools are to be made to the sheriff principal.
7.Part 3 – General – provides for the short title, commencement, minor and consequential amendments and repeals.