School Standards and Framework Act 1998

Obligations of governing bodies

3 (1) In the case of a voluntary aided school, the expenses of discharging any liability incurred by or on behalf of—

(a) the governing body of the school,

(b) any former governors of the school, or

(c) any trustees of the school,

in connection with the provision of premises or specified equipment for the purposes of the school are payable by the governing body of the school.

In this sub-paragraph “specified equipment” means equipment of any description specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(2) In addition, any expenses incurred—

(a) in making to the school buildings of a voluntary aided school such alterations as may be required by the local education authority for the purpose of securing that the school premises conform to the standards prescribed under section 542 of the [1996 c. 56.] Education Act 1996, or

(b) in effecting repairs to the school buildings, other than repairs falling within sub-paragraph (3),

are payable by the governing body of the school.

(3) The governing body of a voluntary aided school are not responsible—

(a) for repairs to the interior of the school buildings, or

(b) for repairs to those buildings necessary in consequence of the use of the school premises, in pursuance of a direction or requirement of the local education authority, for purposes other than those of the school.

(4) Nothing in this paragraph imposes on the governing body of a voluntary aided school which was (either before or after the appointed day) a school of a different description any obligation in respect of a liability incurred at any time before the school became a voluntary aided school if at that time no obligation in respect of that liability was imposed on them, as the governing body of a school of that description, under this Act or the [1996 c. 56.] Education Act 1996, as the case may be.