Education Act 1996 (c. 56)

Part II E+W Schools maintained by local education authorities

Chapter VI E+W Conduct and staffing of county, voluntary and maintained special schools

Discipline: general E+W

155 LEA’s reserve power to prevent a breakdown of discipline. E+W

(1) The local education authority may, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3), take such steps in relation to a county, controlled or maintained special school as they consider are required to prevent the breakdown, or continuing breakdown, of discipline at the school.

(2) The governing body and the head teacher of an aided or a special agreement school shall, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3), consider any representations made to them by the local education authority.

(3) The circumstances are that—

(a) in the opinion of the authority—

(i) the behaviour of registered pupils at the school, or

(ii) any action taken by such pupils or their parents,

is such that the education of any registered pupils at the school is (or is likely in the immediate future to become) severely prejudiced; and

(b) the governing body have been informed in writing of the authority’s opinion.

(4) Steps taken by a local education authority under subsection (1) may include the giving of any direction to the governing body or head teacher.