Education Act 1996

232Joint schemes

(1)Two or more grant-maintained schools may enter into a scheme under this section (referred to in this section and section 233 as a “joint scheme”).

(2)A joint scheme may—

(a)authorise or require the governing bodies of the schools to which the scheme applies to establish joint committees constituted in accordance with the scheme,

(b)provide for the meetings and proceedings of any joint committee so constituted, and

(c)authorise or require the governing bodies of the schools to which the scheme applies to delegate, in such circumstances as may be determined in accordance with the scheme, such of their functions as may be so determined to any joint committee so constituted.

(3)A scheme providing for any joint committee must provide for the committee—

(a)to consist only of persons who are governors of the schools to which the scheme applies, and

(b)to include a head teacher of one of those schools, a parent governor of one of those schools and a first or foundation governor of one of those schools.

(4)A joint scheme may authorise or require the governing bodies of the schools to which the scheme applies to exercise jointly, in such circumstances as may be determined in accordance with the scheme, such of their functions as may be so determined; but such a scheme may not provide for the joint exercise of any function relating to the employment of teachers unless it also provides for the establishment of a joint committee to exercise that function.

(5)In relation to any teacher employed in pursuance of a joint scheme, the [1991 c. 49.] School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991 shall have effect as if he were employed by the joint committee required to be established under subsection (4) and that joint committee were the governing body of a grant-maintained school.

(6)A joint scheme shall provide for any expenses of exercising any functions in pursuance of the scheme.

(7)A joint scheme shall have effect despite anything contained (whether in pursuance of a requirement under this Act or otherwise) in the instrument or articles of government for any of the schools to which the scheme applies.

(8)A joint scheme shall not have effect in relation to any matter dealt with in any co-ordinated arrangements for admissions (within the meaning of section 430) contained in an agreement approved by the Secretary of State under that section or made in pursuance of a scheme under that section.