Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee Draft Report
Title: The Eastern High School (Change to School Session Times) Order 2015
Procedure: Negative
This Order is made under section 2 of chapter 1 of the Education Act 2002 which enables the Welsh Ministers, upon the application of a qualifying body, to exempt that body from particular provisions of education legislation. By virtue of the order regulation 4(2), (3) and (4) of the changing of School Sessions Times Regulations 2009 will not apply to the governing body of Eastern High School. This will allow the governing body to make alterations to when school sessions start and finish including when the school day starts and end s from 1 June 2015 rather than at the beginning of a school term or year. The order has effect until 31 August 2015.
Technical Scrutiny
No points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.2 in respect of this instrument.
Merits Scrutiny
Under Standing Order 21.3 the Assembly is invited to note this Order.
Chapter 1 of the Education Act 2002 is to facilitate the implementation of innovative projects which may, in the opinion of the Welsh Ministers, contribute to the raising of educational standards by lifting regulatory requirements for a time-limited period to facilitate the trialling of an innovative project which has the potential to raise educational standards.
A search of the Lexis legislative data base indicates that this is the first time this power has been exercised by the Welsh ministers.
Members may also wish to note that, notwithstanding its local application, this Order is made pursuant to a formal statutory procedure.
Legal Advisers
Constitutional and Legislative Affairs committee
24 April 2015