§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to allow private companies to take over the running of schools in Wales. [66182]
§ Mr. HainNone. The running of schools is a matter for their governing bodies. Local education authorities (LEAs) have powers to intervene if they have serious concerns about a school; or if governors do not address failure or serious weakness identified in an inspection carried out under section 10 of the School Inspections Act 1996.
The Secretary of State in turn can intervene if an LEA is failing to perform its functions. I have no evidence that any LEA in Wales is failing in its responsibilities towards schools where problems have been identified which would justify intervention.