Commentary on Sections and Schedules Proposals to establish, alter or discontinue schools Section 71: Duty of LEAs to secure proposals
203.Where the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the provision for primary or secondary education in an area is, or is likely to become, insufficient, she may give a direction to the LEA to exercise its powers with a view to securing that provision is made for such additional number of pupils as is specified in the direction.
204.The LEA may use any combination of its existing powers to publish proposals under sections 28, 29 or 31 of the SSFA and the new powers of section 70 to invite proposals for the establishment of an additional community, foundation or voluntary secondary school or Academy. In meeting the direction the LEA must apply such principles as are specified in the direction.
205.The Secretary of State may also publish her own proposals for changes to schools or the establishment of new community or foundation schools to secure these places if the LEA does not comply with the direction within the time specified or she is not satisfied that the action taken by the LEA will secure the specified number of places. Regulations will prescribe the information to be contained in any proposals by the Secretary of State.
206.Any such proposals will be decided by the local SOC or Schools Adjudicator under the existing provisions of Schedule 7 to the SSFA. That Schedule sets out the procedures that currently apply to proposals made by the Secretary of State to address an insufficiency or excess of school places.