Amendments to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998
252.Paragraph 78 provides that, where a school's sixth form or a 16 to 19 institution is inspected as part of an area-wide inspection, an adverse report will trigger the same powers of intervention by the LEA and the Secretary of State or National Assembly as similar reports after other types of inspection.
253.Paragraph 79 amends section 19(2) of the 1998 Act (which lists those bodies the Secretary of State or the National Assembly should consult before directing an LEA to close a school on special measures) by adding, in respect of schools providing post-16 education, the LSC or the CETW. This reflects the fact that the LSC and CETW will have primary duties at sections 2 and 31 of this Act in respect of education and training provision for 16 to 18 year olds.
254.Paragraph 80 amends section 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 in order to put beyond doubt that the school organisation plan must include the LEA’s intentions with regard to their provision of secondary education for children over compulsory school age. The present wording of section 26 could be construed as applying only to the duties of LEAs - which do not, and will not, extend to post-16 secondary education - and not to their powers to make such provision.
255.Paragraph 81 adds a new section 26A to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 so that in England the schools planning process takes account of the plans published by the local LSC. The new Section 26B makes corresponding provision for Wales. The provision is different because there are no local learning and skills councils in Wales.
