Education Act 1996

497 General default powers.E+W

(1)If the Secretary of State is satisfied (either on a complaint by any person interested or otherwise) that a body to which this section applies have failed to discharge any duty imposed on them by or for the purposes of this Act, he may make an order—

(a)declaring the body to be in default in respect of that duty, and

(b)giving such directions for the purpose of enforcing the performance of the duty as appear to him to be expedient.

(2)The bodies to which this section applies are—

(a)any local education authority, [F1and]

F2[(b)the governing body of any community, foundation or voluntary school [F3, of any community or foundation special school, or of any maintained nursery school] .]

(3)Any directions given under subsection (1)(b) shall be enforceable, on an application made on behalf of the Secretary of State, by an order of mandamus.

Textual Amendments

F1Word in s. 497(2)(a) inserted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 130(a) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F2S. 497(2)(b)(c) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 130(b) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F3Words in s. 497(2)(b) substituted (8.1.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 168(2), 188(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 497 modified (1.11.1996) by 1988 c. 40, s. 219(3) (as substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 77 (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39))

S. 497 modified (1.9.1998) by 1997 c. 44, s. 43(4); S.I. 1998/386, art. 2(4), Sch. 1 Pt. IV

S. 497 modified (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 44(7) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C2S. 497: power to apply conferred (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 105(7) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C4S. 497 extended (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 10 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C5S. 497 modified by 2000 c. 21, s. 113A(10) (as inserted (1.4.2003 for E., 1.8.2004 for W.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 72(1), 216(4) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2003/124, art. 4; S.I. 2004/1728, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 1)

C6Ss. 495-498 modified (1.4.2003 for E.; 31.10.2005 for W.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 34(7), 216(4) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2003/124, art. 4; S.I. 2005/2910, art. 4, Sch.

C7S. 497: power to apply conferred by 1998 c. 31, s. 89(2) (as inserted (1.10.2002 for E., 1.2.2006 for W.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 48, 216(4) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/2439, art. 3; S.I. 2006/172, art. 4, Sch.)