School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004

2 Power of Scottish Ministers to require action by education authorities

After section 10 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 (asp 6) (in this Act referred to as the “2000 Act”) insert—

“10A Duty of Her Majesty’s Inspectors to make reference to Scottish Ministers

(1) This section applies where, after an inspection under section 9 of this Act, Her Majesty’s Inspectors identify that an education authority require to take action to secure improvement in the way the authority exercise a function in relation to the provision of school education.

(2) If it appears to Her Majesty’s Inspectors that—

(a) having been given sufficient opportunity to secure improvement in the way they exercise a function identified under subsection (1) above, the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to do so; and

(b) having regard to the seriousness of that failure, an enforcement direction is justified,

they shall make a reference to the Scottish Ministers.

(3) A reference under subsection (2) above shall—

(a) be in writing;

(b) specify the failure mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above; and

(c) include recommendations as to the action which, in the opinion of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, the education authority require to take to remedy or prevent the recurrence of that failure.

(4) Where Her Majesty’s Inspectors make a reference under subsection (2) above, they shall inform the education authority of the making of that reference.

10B Preliminary notice

(1) Where, on a reference under section 10A(2) of this Act, it appears to the Scottish Ministers that—

(a) the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to secure improvement in the way they exercise the function mentioned in section 10A(2)(a) of this Act; and

(b) an enforcement direction is justified,

they may serve a preliminary notice on the authority.

(2) A preliminary notice is a notice which—

(a) informs the education authority of the apparent failure mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above; and

(b) requires the authority to submit to the Scottish Ministers, within such time as is specified in the notice, a written response which—

(i) states that the authority have not so failed and gives reasons supporting that statement; or

(ii) states that the authority have so failed but gives reasons why an enforcement direction should not be given to them.

10C Enforcement direction

(1) Where, following service under section 10B(1) of this Act of a preliminary notice and the expiry of the time specified in it, it still appears to the Scottish Ministers that—

(a) the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to secure improvement in the way they exercise the function mentioned in section 10A(2)(a) of this Act; and

(b) having regard to the seriousness of that failure, action under this section is justified,

they may give the authority an enforcement direction.

(2) An enforcement direction is a direction in writing by the Scottish Ministers requiring the education authority to which it is given to take, within such time as is specified in the direction, such action as is so specified, being action calculated to remedy or prevent the recurrence of the failure mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above.

(3) Where two or more courses of action are specified in an enforcement direction, the Scottish Ministers may specify for each a different time within which it is to be taken.

(4) An enforcement direction may place such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may specify in it upon the exercise of such functions of the education authority in relation to the provision of school education as are so specified.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may vary an enforcement direction by giving a further such direction.

(6) A further such direction need not proceed upon a further preliminary notice under section 10B(1) of this Act.

(7) An enforcement direction may be revoked by the Scottish Ministers.

(8) Before giving, varying or revoking an enforcement direction, the Scottish Ministers shall consult Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

(9) An education authority to which an enforcement direction is given shall comply with it.

(10) The Scottish Ministers may, instead of or as well as giving an enforcement direction, make such recommendations to the education authority as they think appropriate.

(11) If the Scottish Ministers exercise their power to give, vary or revoke an enforcement direction they shall—

(a) prepare a report on their exercise of that power; and

(b) lay that report before the Scottish Parliament.”.