Statutory Instruments made by the National Assembly for Wales

Section 72 and Schedule 9 amend the Learning and Skills Act 2000 so as to enable the National Council for Education and Training for Wales to propose the establishment, alteration or closure of sixth forms. Its proposals are to be submitted to the National Assembly for Wales ("the National Assembly"). Regulations will set out the procedures.

The effect of the provisions specified in Part 2 of the Schedule is as follows  - 

Sections 21, 22, 30 and 32 re-enact certain provisions of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ("the 1998 Act") in relation to the government of maintained schools.

Section 21 provides that the governing body of a school is responsible for its conduct. It enables the National Assembly to make regulations setting out the roles and responsibilities of governing bodies, head teachers and LEAs.

Section 22 provides that an LEA must provide governors with information and training, free of charge.

Under section 30 a governing body must prepare an annual report. Regulations made by the National Assembly will set out requirements in relation to the content of annual reports and their distribution. Governing bodies must provide such reports to the LEA as it requires, and head teachers must provide such reports to governing bodies or LEAs as they require.

Section 32 sets out, in relation to different categories of school, the body which is responsible for determining the dates of school terms, school holidays and school session times. The National Assembly may make regulations as to proposals to change the times of school sessions.

Section 39 contains definitions.

Section 155 and Schedule 14 amend Schedule 26 to the 1998 Act which makes provision in relation to inspection of nursery education. These amendments will allow inspections to be carried out by members of the inspectorate as well as registered nursery inspectors, and allow Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales to register those persons she considers appropriate and to take into account the need for inspectors in Wales. Previously she registered any person who satisfied the statutory criteria. Schedule 14 also contains amendments which will mean that appeals against decisions on registration will be made in England to the tribunal established under section 9 of the Protection of Children Act 1999. Appeals in Wales will continue to be made to the Registered Nursery Inspector's Tribunal, but there are some amendments which are consequential on the changes in England.

Section 176 imposes a duty on LEAs and governing bodies to have regard to National Assembly guidance about consultation with pupils in connection with taking decisions affecting them.