§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to make school governing bodies the final arbiters on teacher disciplinary matters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Education (No. 2) Act 1986 confirms that the power of teacher dismissal rests with the local education authority. That power can be exercised only after consulting the governing body and the head teacher. The power of suspension can be exercised by the governing body or the head teacher but a suspension must be ended at the direction of the local education authority. There are no plans to introduce new legislation on this matter.