Education Act 2002

Commentary on Sections and Schedules

Part 4 – Powers of Intervention

Schools causing concern

Section 55: Cases in which powers of intervention exercisable

157.The section amends section 15 of the SSFA by replacing the subsections which define when the section applies to schools having serious weaknesses or requiring special measures. This change ensures that the steps taken by the Secretary of State, or the NAW, or by LEAs to secure improvement in such schools can commence more quickly after an inspection has reached such a conclusion.

158.The section provides that section 15 applies to a school having serious weaknesses when, following an inspection of that school, the Secretary of State, or the NAW, is notified in writing of the inspector’s opinion, as required in section 54, (and no subsequent inspection has concluded that the school no longer has serious weaknesses or that the school requires special measures).

159.The section provides that section 15 applies to a school requiring special measures when, following an inspection of that school, HMCI notifies the Secretary of State, or the NAW, in writing of this judgement (and no subsequent inspection has concluded that the school no longer requires special measures).