(1)An Education Action Forum shall have as its main object the improvement of standards in the provision of education at each of the participating schools.
(2)A Forum may, under arrangements made by the governing body of a participating school in respect of any prescribed function of that body relating to the conduct of the school, either—
(a)discharge that function on behalf of the governing body until such time as they may specify in a request to the Forum to cease discharging the function on their behalf; or
(b)assume full responsibility for the discharge of that function during the whole of the period for which the Forum remains in existence.
(3)Regulations may make provision—
(a)as to the circumstances in which the governing body of a participating school may make arrangements under subsection (2);
(b)for the procedure to be followed by such a governing body in connection with the making of any such arrangements;
(c)for the procedure to be followed by an Education Action Forum when discharging any function by virtue of that subsection;
(d)for statutory provisions relating to governing bodies of maintained schools to apply, with any prescribed modifications, to an Education Action Forum when discharging any function by virtue of paragraph (b) of that subsection.
(4)Regulations may, in relation to the discharge by an Education Action Forum of any function of a governing body under sections 54 and 57(1) to (3), Schedule 16 or paragraph 27 of Schedule 17, make any such provision as may be made by an order under section 81 (application of employment law during financial delegation).
(5)The Secretary of State may by a direction provide for any scheme under Chapter IV of Part II of this Act which relates to a participating school to have effect with such modifications as he considers appropriate in a case where an Education Action Forum is discharging any function in relation to the school by virtue of subsection (2)(b).
(6)Before giving a direction under subsection (5) the Secretary of State shall consult the local education authority.