The Transition from Primary to Secondary School (Wales) Regulations 2006

Prospective

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Section 198 of the Education Act 2002 enables the National Assembly for Wales to require the governing body of each secondary school (or specified class of secondary school) maintained by a local education authority in Wales and the governing bodies of their feeder primary schools so maintained, jointly, to draw up plans to facilitate the transition of pupils from the primary schools to the secondary school (“Transition Plans”).

There is no definition of “feeder primary school” for the purposes of section 198, but in determining whether a particular primary school is a feeder primary school in relation to a particular secondary school, regard is to be had to guidance issued by the National Assembly, and regulations may provide for disputes to be determined by the National Assembly (regulation 4).

Regulations may also make provision about plans, including provision about timing, content, review and amendment.

These Regulations make provision for the determination of disputes by the National Assembly (regulation 4).

They also contain provisions about Transition Plans, including—

• requirements as to the form and content of plans, and for their publication (regulation 5 and Schedule)

• requirements as to when the first plans must be drawn up and published and as to the first cohort of pupils to be covered (regulation 6)

• provision for the review of plans and, where necessary or desirable, for their revision or replacement (regulation 7)

• provision as to the manner in which plans are to be published (regulation 8)

• a requirement for copies of plans to be sent to the local education authority or authorities by which the schools are maintained and to anyone who requests a copy (regulation 9).