12.—(1) In this Part any reference to a school's admissions number for a school year is a reference to the number for the time being applying under the following provisions of this Article to the school in relation to that school year.
(2) The admissions number applying to a school for any school year shall be such number as the Department may determine, having regard in particular to—
(a)the requirements of directions under Article 18 of the 1986 Order which apply in relation to the school; and
(b)the school's enrolment number;[F1 and]
[F1(c)the requirements of Article 16 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (limit on class sizes)]
(3) The Department may at any time vary a school's admissions number for a school year.
(4) Before making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall consult the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).
(5) Paragraph (4) does not require consultation with the Board of Governors of a school in relation to a variation of the school's admissions number made by the Department at the request of the Board of Governors.
(6) After making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall send notice of the determination or variation to the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).
(7) The bodies referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6) are—
(a)the Board of Governors of the school;
(b)[F2the Authority] F3...; and
(c)where the school is a Catholic maintained school, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.
F2Words in Order substituted (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(a) (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)
F3Words in art. 12(7)(b) repealed (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), Sch. 4 (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)