This is the first commencement order made by the Welsh Ministers under the Education (Wales) Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”). The Order brings sections 42 and 48 (partially) of, and paragraph 1(1), (2) and (6) of Schedule 3 to, the 2014 Act into force on 14 July 2014. Those sections make provision in relation to the setting of term and holiday dates and times of school sessions. The effect of those provisions commencing on 14 July 2014 is that the first term dates which local authorities and the governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools have determined and which must be notified to the Welsh Ministers by local authorities are for the school year 2016/2017.

This Order also brings into force section 44 of the 2014 Act on 14 July 2014. That section amends sections 25 and 26 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 which make provision in relation to intervention by Welsh Ministers in the exercise of a local authority’s education functions.

This Order brings into force section 43 of the 2014 Act on 1 September 2014. That section makes provision in relation to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education and Training in Wales.