(1)This section applies where, in a report of a section 5 inspection of a maintained school, the Chief Inspector stated either—
(a)that in his opinion special measures were required to be taken in relation to the school, or
(b)that in his opinion the school required significant improvement.
(2)The local education authority must—
(a)prepare a written statement of any action they propose to take in the light of the report, and the period within which they propose to take such action, or, if they do not propose to take such action, of their reasons for not doing so, and
(b)send a copy of the statement prepared under paragraph (a) to the Chief Inspector and, in the case of a voluntary aided school—
(i)to the person who appoints the foundation governors, and
(ii)(if different) to the appropriate appointing authority.
(3)It is the duty of the local education authority to prepare the statement within the period allowed by this subsection, that is—
(a)such period as may be prescribed, or
(b)if—
(i)the report states that the Chief Inspector is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and
(ii)the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the urgency of the case requires a shorter period,
such shorter period as the Secretary of State may direct;
but this subsection does not relieve the local education authority of any duty to prepare a statement which has not been performed within that period.