Education Reform Act 1988

3 (1) The chief education officer of the local education authority concerned shall be entitled to attend, for the purpose of giving advice, all proceedings—

(a) of the governing body;

(b) of any selection panel appointed under paragraph 1 above; or

(c) of any persons to whom any functions of the governing body under paragraph 2 above are delegated;

relating to appointments to which paragraph 1 or (as the case may be) paragraph 2 above applies (including in each case any interviews).

(2) The chief education officer shall also be under a duty—

(a) to offer such advice as he considers appropriate with respect to the appointment of a head teacher, a deputy head teacher, an acting head teacher or an acting deputy head teacher or any matter arising in connection with any such appointment; and

(b) to give such advice as he considers appropriate with respect to any appointment to which paragraph 2 above applies if requested to do so by the governing body.

(3) Each of the following, that is to say—

(a) the governing body;

(b) any selection panel appointed under paragraph 1 above; and

(c) any persons to whom any functions of the governing body under paragraph 2 above are delegated;

shall consider any advice given by the chief education officer with respect to any matter it falls to them to determine relating to any appointment before determining that matter, whether or not the advice was given at their request.

(4) Except in relation to the appointment of a head teacher—

(a) sub-paragraph (1) above shall apply in relation to the head teacher (if not otherwise entitled to be present at the proceedings there mentioned) as it applies in relation to the chief education officer; and

(b) sub-paragraph (3) above shall apply in relation to advice given by the head teacher as it applies in relation to advice given by the chief education officer.