Commentary on Sections and Schedules Schools causing concern Section 56: Power of the Secretary of State to appoint additional governors or direct closure
160.The section amends sections 18 and 19 of the SSFA so as to extend the powers currently available to the Secretary of State, or the NAW, to intervene in schools requiring special measures to those identified by HMCI as having serious weaknesses. It provides that the Secretary of State, or the NAW, may appoint additional governors and appoint one of those governors as chair of the governing body or may direct the maintaining LEA to discontinue (close) on a specified date a school which requires special measures or has serious weaknesses.