Education Act 1996, section 497

General default powers

Part IX Ancillary functions

(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 [F6dfnlocal authorityF6][F1038 in EnglandF1038] , [F1039andF1039]

F1040 (b)the governing body of any community, foundation or voluntary school [F1041 in EnglandF1041] [F1042 , of any community or foundation special school [F1041 in EnglandF1041] , or of any maintained nursery schoolF1042] [F1041 in EnglandF1041] .

(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.

F1043(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1043(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F1044 (6)This section is subject to sections 508I and 509AE (complaints about transport arrangements etc).F1044]

Definitions used in section 497 3

local authority

“local authority” means—

(a)

a local authority in England;

(b)

a local authority in Wales;

Defined in s.579(1) · see it in the full Act
school

(1) In this Act (subject to subsections (1A) to (1C) ) “school” means an educational institution which is outside the further education sector and the wider higher education sector and is an institution for providing—

(a)primary education,

(b)secondary education, or

(c)both primary and secondary education,

Defined in s.4(1) · see it in the full Act
maintained nursery school

“maintained nursery school” has the meaning given by section 22(9) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ;

Defined in s.579(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 497 3

R (McNally) v Secretary of State for Education and Employment

[2001] EWCA Civ 332 · 12 March 2001Interprets

Section 497 permits an order where the Secretary of State is satisfied that a covered body has failed to discharge a statutory duty. The court held that the evidence did not establish a failure to discharge a duty because it was unclear whether the Chief Education Officer had sought to remain. (see sections headed “First Judicial Review” and “Was the appellant deprived of his entitlement?”)

M & Anor, Re Application for Judicial Review

[2013] EWHC 579 (Admin) · 15 March 2013

Confirms that the Secretary of State’s general default power did not provide a satisfactory alternative remedy where the Secretary of State had expressed a firm view on the legal issue and the claim sought an authoritative ruling of general significance (see paras [9]-[13]; [23]).

McCormack, R (on the application of) v St Edmund Campion Catholic School & Ors

[2012] EWHC 3928 (Admin) · 11 December 2012Interprets

Identifies the threshold question whether a body failed to discharge a statutory duty, followed by a discretionary decision whether directions are expedient. The refusal to direct was not irrational in light of the imminent employment determination and limited practical benefit. (see paras [4]; [63]; [86]-[91])

What each judgment says about section 497 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

30 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F6Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))
  2. F1038Words in s. 497(2)(a) inserted (20.2.2014) by School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1), s. 100(4), Sch. 5 para. 2(5)(a); S.I. 2014/178, art. 2(f) (with art. 3)
  3. F1039Word 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
  4. F1040S. 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.
  5. F1041Words in s. 497(2)(b) inserted (20.2.2014) by School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1), s. 100(4), Sch. 5 para. 2(5)(b); S.I. 2014/178, art. 2(f) (with art. 3)
  6. F1042Words in s. 497(2)(b) substituted (8.1.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 168(2), 188(2)
  7. F1043S. 497(4)(5) omitted (1.8.2012) by virtue of Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 45(2)(c), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 2 (with art. 6)
  8. F1044S. 497(6) inserted (12.1.2010 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(4), Sch. 2 para. 8; S.I. 2009/3317, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3); S.I. 2010/303, art. 3, Sch. 2

Modifications

  1. C171Ss. 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.
  2. C181S. 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.)
  3. C190Ss. 496, 497 modified by 2002 c. 32, s. 135C(4) (as inserted (1.4.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 9, 82(3); S.I. 2012/924, art. 2)
  4. C194S. 497 applied (with modifications) (10.2.2009) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3090), regs. 1(1), 10
  5. C195S. 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))
  6. C196S. 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
  7. C197S. 497 applied (3.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2876, reg. 21
  8. C198S. 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
  9. C199S. 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)
  10. C200S. 497 applied (E.) (27.2.2007) by The School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/194), regs. 1(1), 10
  11. C201S. 497 applied (1.4.2007) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), ss. 15(2), 109(2); S.I. 2007/1019, art. 3
  12. C202S. 497 modified (E.) (25.5.2007) by The Education (Supply of Information about the School Workforce) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1264), regs. 1(1), 10
  13. C203S. 497 modified (E.) (1.9.2007) by The Education (Supply of Information about the School Workforce) (No.2) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2260), regs. 1(1), 11
  14. C204S. 497 applied (with modifications) (E.) (1.2.2008) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2979), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 6
  15. C205S. 497 applied (31.8.2008) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), ss. 29(2), 109(2); S.I. 2008/17, art. 2(a)
  16. C206S. 497 restricted (1.10.2010) by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), ss. 87(2), 216(3) (with ss. 6(4), 84, 89(2), 205); S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2(6)(a) (as amended (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2337, art. 2)
  17. C207S. 497 applied (1.10.2010) by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), ss. 87(1), 216(3) (with ss. 6(4), 84, 89(2), 205); S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2(6)(a) (as amended (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2337, art. 2)
  18. C208S. 497 applied by 2000 c. 22, Sch. A1 para. 9(b) (as inserted (3.12.2011 for specified purposes, 4.5.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2011/2896, art. 2(e); S.I. 2012/1008, art. 4(b))
  19. C209S. 497 applied (1.2.2012) by The School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/8), regs. 1(1), 32 (with reg. 1(3)(4))
  20. C210S. 497: transfer of functions (7.8.2013) by The Transfer of Functions (Youth Leisure-time Activities) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1721), arts. 1(2), 2(b)(ii) (with art. 4)
  21. C211S. 497 functions transferred (9.11.2016) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections, Referendums, Third Sector and Information) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/997), arts. 1(2), 10(2)(d) (with arts. 10(3), 11, 12)
  22. C212S. 497(1)(3) modified (7.8.2013) by The Transfer of Functions (Youth Leisure-time Activities) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1721), arts. 1(2), 3(3)(b) (with art. 4)