(1)The Secretary of State may by order applying to county or voluntary schools of any class or description vary any standard number that would otherwise apply by virtue of section 417 or 418.
(2)Subject to subsections (3) to (5), the Secretary of State may by order vary any standard number that would otherwise apply to an individual school by virtue of section 417 or 418 or by virtue of any order made under subsection (1).
(3)An order under subsection (2) reducing a standard number may only be made on the application of the admission authority for the school, and is subject to the procedure provided for in Schedule 32.
(4)An order under subsection (2) increasing a standard number may be made on the application of the admission authority for the school or on an application made by the governing body or local education authority in accordance with section 416(7).
(5)On an application for an order under subsection (2) increasing a standard number, the Secretary of State may—
(a)make an order under subsection (2) increasing the standard number to the number proposed,
(b)after consultation with both the local education authority and the governing body of the school, make an order under subsection (2) increasing the standard number to such number (less than the number proposed) as he thinks desirable, or
(c)refuse to make an order increasing the standard number.