Book Description
This Act implements proposals contained in the White paper "Higher Standards, Better Schools For All" (Cm.6677). It will enable:all schools to become Trust schools by forming links with external partners and thereby own their own assets and be ablle to set their admission arrangements. Local authorities will take on a new strategic role including:duties to promote choice, diversity, high standards and the fulfilment of potential for every child; a duty to respond to parental concerns about the quality of local schools; cting as decision-maker on school organisation matters; responsibility for making sure young people have a range of exciting things to do in their spare time; appoint School Improvement Partners for maintained schools; provide positive activities for young people. The Act will also tighten the admissions framework and reaffirm the ban on new selection by ability; place a ban on interviewing; and strengthening the status of the Code on School Admissions. In addition there will be new powers: for staff to discipline pupils;extend the scope of parenting orders and contracts; establish new nutritional standards for food and drink served in maintained schools. Existing inspectorates will merge into a single inspectorate (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills)to cover the full range of services for children and young people, as well as life-long learning.
