School Standards and Framework Act 1998

Obligations of LEAs as regards provision of sites (otherwise than in connection with statutory proposals) E+W

4 (1) In the case of a voluntary aided school, the local education authority shall provide any new site which is to be provided in addition to, or instead of, the school’s existing site (or part of its existing site). E

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not—

(a) apply in relation to the provision of any site which persons other than the authority are required to provide by virtue of [F1 any enactment]; or

(b) require the local education authority to finance the acquisition by the governing body of any site or buildings provided otherwise than by the authority.

(3) Where a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, the local education authority shall transfer their interest in the site, and in any buildings on the site which are to form part of the school premises—

(a) to the trustees of the school, to be held by them on trust for the purposes of the school, or

(b) if the school has no trustees, to the school’s foundation body to be held by that body for the relevant purposes.

(4) If any doubt or dispute arises as to the persons to whom the authority are required to make the transfer, it shall be made to such persons as the Secretary of State thinks proper.

(5) The authority shall pay to the persons to whom the transfer is made their reasonable costs in connection with the transfer.

(6) Where—

(a) a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, and

(b) work is required to be done to the site for the purpose of clearing it or making it suitable for building purposes,

the local education authority and the governing body of the school may make an agreement providing for the making of such payments, or of such other adjustments of their respective rights and liabilities, as will secure that the cost of the work is borne by the authority.

(7) Where—

(a) a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, and

(b) there are buildings on the site which are of value for the purposes of the school,

the local education authority and the governing body of the school may make an agreement providing for the making of such payments, or of such other adjustments of their respective rights and liabilities, as appear to be desirable having regard to the governing body’s duties under paragraph 3 with respect to the [F2 school premises] .

(8) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that provision for any payment or other adjustment ought to have been made under sub-paragraph (6) or (7) but has not been made, he may give directions providing for the making of such payment or other adjustment as he thinks proper.

(9) In this paragraph—

• “the relevant purposes” means, in relation to a transfer to a school’s foundation body, the purposes of the schools comprising the group for which that body acts;

• “site” does not include playing fields but otherwise includes any site which is to form part of the premises of the school in question.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England only; a separate version has been created for Wales.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 3 para. 4(2)(a) substituted (19.12.2002 for W. and 1.4.2003 for E.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 215(1), 216, Sch. 21 para. 114 (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2003/124, art. 4

F2 Words in Sch. 3 para. 4(7) substituted (E.) (1.4.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Voluntary Aided Schools Liabilities and Funding) (England) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/906), art. 6

4 (1) In the case of a voluntary aided school, the local education authority shall provide any new site which is to be provided in addition to, or instead of, the school’s existing site (or part of its existing site). W

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not—

(a) apply in relation to the provision of any site which persons other than the authority are required to provide by virtue of [F3 any enactment]; or

(b) require the local education authority to finance the acquisition by the governing body of any site or buildings provided otherwise than by the authority.

(3) Where a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, the local education authority shall transfer their interest in the site, and in any buildings on the site which are to form part of the school premises—

(a) to the trustees of the school, to be held by them on trust for the purposes of the school, or

(b) if the school has no trustees, to the school’s foundation body to be held by that body for the relevant purposes.

(4) If any doubt or dispute arises as to the persons to whom the authority are required to make the transfer, it shall be made to such persons as the Secretary of State thinks proper.

(5) The authority shall pay to the persons to whom the transfer is made their reasonable costs in connection with the transfer.

(6) Where—

(a) a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, and

(b) work is required to be done to the site for the purpose of clearing it or making it suitable for building purposes,

the local education authority and the governing body of the school may make an agreement providing for the making of such payments, or of such other adjustments of their respective rights and liabilities, as will secure that the cost of the work is borne by the authority.

(7) Where—

(a) a site is provided for a school under this paragraph, and

(b) there are buildings on the site which are of value for the purposes of the school,

the local education authority and the governing body of the school may make an agreement providing for the making of such payments, or of such other adjustments of their respective rights and liabilities, as appear to be desirable having regard to the governing body’s duties under paragraph 3 with respect to the school buildings.

(8) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that provision for any payment or other adjustment ought to have been made under sub-paragraph (6) or (7) but has not been made, he may give directions providing for the making of such payment or other adjustment as he thinks proper.

(9) In this paragraph—

• “the relevant purposes” means, in relation to a transfer to a school’s foundation body, the purposes of the schools comprising the group for which that body acts;

• “site” does not include playing fields but otherwise includes any site which is to form part of the premises of the school in question.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Wales only; a separate version has been created for England.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in Sch. 3 para. 4(2)(a) substituted (19.12.2002 for W. and 1.4.2003 for E.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 215(1), 216, Sch. 21 para. 114 (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2003/124, art. 4