(1)Subject to subsection (2), a local education authority shall not—
(a)cease to maintain a county school, a voluntary school (except in accordance with section 173(7)) or a nursery school, or
(b)undertake to do anything towards that end,
until the requirements of section 167 have been complied with and any approval necessary under section 169 has been given.
(2)The Secretary of State may in any case allow such steps to be taken pending compliance with any such requirements and the giving of any such approval as he considers reasonable in the circumstances.