Commentary Part 1: School Inspections and Other Inspections by School Inspectors Schedule 5: Sixth forms requiring significant improvement
88.This Schedule amends section 113 of and Schedule 7 to the Learning and Skills Act 2000. It replaces the current categorisation of ‘inadequate sixth form’ with a ‘sixth form requiring significant improvement’. This reflects the new significant improvement category introduced by section 44. Paragraph 3(3) defines the circumstances in which a school requires significant improvement in relation to its sixth form: if it is failing to give pupils over 16 an acceptable standard of education; or if its performance in relation to provision for such pupils is less than might reasonably be expected. Other provisions in the Schedule continue existing arrangements in relation to sixth forms which give cause for concern, including the power of the Learning and Skills Council for England or the National Council for Education and Training for Wales to propose closure.
89.Sub-paragraphs (11) to (14) of paragraph 3 provide for schools for 16-19 year old students in England and Wales to be judged to be causing concern following an inspection under section 5 and reflect the revised definition of special measures and the new category of significant improvement in section 44.