Education Reform Act 1988

125 Articles of government

(1) Any institution conducted by a higher education corporation shall be conducted in accordance with articles of government, to be made by the corporation with the approval of the Secretary of State.

(2) The articles of government—

(a) shall determine the functions to be exercised in relation to the institution by the board of governors of the institution, the principal of the institution and the academic board of the institution; and

(b) may regulate the constitution and functions of committees of the corporation and of the academic board of the institution and provide for the delegation of functions of the board of governors and the academic board to such committees, to the chairman of the corporation or to the principal.

(3) The articles of government shall also make provision with respect to the procedure for meetings of the board of governors, of the academic board and of committees of the corporation and the procedure in relation to the appointment of members of the corporation (including in either case quorum and proxies), and may make provision with respect to—

(a) procedures for the appointment, promotion, suspension and dismissal of staff;

(b) procedures for the admission, suspension and expulsion of students; and

(c) the appointment and functions of a clerk to the board of governors.

(4) The articles of government may also make provision authorising the board of governors to make rules or bye-laws for the government and conduct of the institution, including in particular rules or bye-laws with respect to—

(a) the conduct of students and staff or either of them; and

(b) any such procedures as are mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b) above.

(5) Articles of government made under this section may be varied or revoked by subsequent articles made by the corporation with the approval of the Secretary of State.

(6) The Secretary of State may by a direction under this section require higher education corporations, any class of such corporations specified in the direction or any particular higher education corporation so specified—

(a) to amend their articles of government; or

(b) to secure that any rules or bye-laws made in pursuance of their articles of government are amended by the board of governors;

in any manner so specified.

(7) Before giving a direction under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult the board of governors of the higher education corporation or (as the case may be) of each higher education corporation to which the direction applies.