The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

Independent schools

30.—(1) In Article 2(2) of the 1986 Order for the definition of “independent school” there shall be substituted—

““independent school” means a school at which full-time education is provided for pupils of compulsory school age (whether or not such education is also provided for pupils under or over that age), not being a grant-aided school;”.

(2) h Article 39(1)(c) of the 1986 Order (complaints in relation to independent schools) for the words “ages and sex” there shall be substituted the words “ages, sex and abilities”.

(3) In Article 40 of the 1986 Order (appeals against complaints)—

(a)in paragraph (1) for the words from “appeal” to the end there shall be substituted the words “appeal therefrom to the Independent Schools Tribunal constituted in accordance with regulations under paragraph (8)”;

(b)after paragraph (7) there shall be added—

“(8) The Department shall by regulations provide for the constitution and procedure of the Independent Schools Tribunal, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing such regulations—

(a)shall provide for the membership of the tribunal and may provide for disqualifying prescribed persons or descriptions of persons for membership of the tribunal;

(b)may provide that all matters relating to the procedure on appeals which are not specifically regulated by the regulations shall be determined by the tribunal.

(9) The Department may—

(a)pay to members of the Independent Schools Tribunal such remuneration and expenses as it may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine;

(b)defray the expenses of the tribunal to such amount as the Department may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine;

(c)provide for the tribunal such staff and accommodation as the tribunal may require.”.