Education Act 1996

46 Establishment of a new voluntary school in substitution for an old one

(1) This section applies where—

(a) proposals for the establishment of any school or schools are submitted to the Secretary of State under section 41(1); and

(b) in connection with those proposals it is claimed that the school or schools should be maintained by the local education authority as a voluntary school or voluntary schools in substitution for any other voluntary school or schools (whether maintained by that or another local education authority) which is or are to be discontinued.

(2) If the Secretary of State—

(a) approves the proposals under section 43, and

(b) is satisfied that the new school or schools will be maintained as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above,

he may by order direct that the new school or schools shall be established in substitution for the school or schools which is or are to be discontinued.

(3) Where an order is made under this section, section 173 shall not apply with respect to the discontinuance of that school or those schools.

(4) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) any local education authority who in his opinion will be affected by the making of the order; and

(b) the governing body of any voluntary school which in his opinion will be so affected.

(5) An order under this section may—

(a) impose such conditions on any such local education authority or governing body, and

(b) contain such incidental and consequential provisions,

as the Secretary of State thinks fit.