Clause 8 - Removal of exemptions
Education Bill
3:00 pm
Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment No. 54, in page 6, line 9, after 'body', insert
'but after consultation with that body'.
This is a small but important amendment. This Government and previous Governments have rightly stressed the importance of the governing body in the implementation of school policy. Since 1998, increased powers have been given to the governing body. Under existing legislation, the governing body has most of the powers regarding schools, not the head teacher, as is often thought.
The amendment seeks an explanation of why the governing body should not be consulted about the removal of exemptions. The clause basically says that the Secretary of State or the National Assembly can make an order to revoke without any application by the governing body. We understand that there may be a need to do that. However, we should like to insert the phrase
'but after consultation with that body'.
Although we recognise that the governing body might not make the request, if the Secretary of State is to act in a relatively unilateral way, it should have a right to be consulted on the matter. The amendment would simply enshrine in the Bill the importance of the governing body where changes are being made to any element of school status.