Member

On the requirements that local authorities need to fulfil, I stressed in Committee that these requirements already exist, both in legislation and public law principles. Our proposals will give trusts the right to object to a proposed direction, and this will actually apply to a wider range of circumstances than the noble Baroness’s amendment proposes. The schools adjudicator will consider issues in the round, including those in the noble Baroness’s amendment. We consider that school adjudicators are best placed to handle such objections, as they routinely consider them from maintained schools and advise the Secretary of State on academy directions. Their proven expertise and judgment in this area will mean that independent and sensible decisions can be reached as quickly as possible. The current clause strikes the right balance between protecting the rights of all schools and ensuring that vulnerable children can be found a school place without delay.