Commentary on provisions of Act Section 9: Consultation about identity of sponsors in certain cases
Section 9 inserts a new section 5A into the Academies Act 2010. The new section applies to a foundation or voluntary school with a foundation that is subject to an Academy order under section 4(A1). In relation to those schools, the Secretary of State is under a duty to consult the trustees of the school, the person or persons by whom the foundation governors are appointed, and in the case of a school which has a religious character, the appropriate religious body, about the identity of the person with whom the Secretary of State intends to enter into Academy arrangements. New section 5A does not cover Academy orders under section 4(1)(b) because there is already a similar, but slightly broader, requirement to consult before making such an Academy order (see section 4(1A)).