Commentary on Sections and Schedules Other provisions relating only to Wales Section 196: Publication and provision of material
379.This section provides powers over and above the existing, but limited, powers under section 537 of the EA 96.
380.This section allows the NAW to provide “qualifying material” to governing bodies and LEAs and to require them to provide it to specified persons or to publish it. “Qualifying material” is material which will help parents choose schools for their children, increase public awareness of the quality and standards of education and assist in assessing how well schools manage resources.
381.It is the intention that the qualifying material which LEAs and governing bodies will be required to publish or provide under this new power will be such as to enable parents and others to measure progress made by pupils while at the school (value-added), and that it may also take into account the socio-economic conditions of the area in which the school is located.