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Opening a school

The adjudicator decides on proposals to open a new school where the local authority:

• is involved in the trust of a new foundation school
• is the proposer of a new school under Section 10 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA)
• does not decide proposals for a new school within 2 months of the end of the representation period

It also makes decisions on proposals where:

• the Diocesan Board of any Church of England Diocese or the bishop of any Roman Catholic church in the relevant area appeals the decision of a local authority
• the proposers of a new school refer the decision of the local authority

Find out more from the statutory guidance on opening and closing maintained schools .

Closing a school

The adjudicator decides on proposals to close a school where:

• the local authority does not decide proposals to close a school within 2 months of the end of the representation period
• the Diocesan Board of any Church of England Diocese or the bishop of any Roman Catholic church in the relevant area appeals the decision of a local authority
• the governing board or foundation of a voluntary or foundation school refer the decision of a local authority

Find out more from the statutory guidance on opening and closing maintained schools.

To make a referral, email the relevant documents as set out in the statutory guidance to: osa.team@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.

Significant changes to maintained schools

These changes include:

• the enlargement of school premises
• the numbers at a special school
• age range
• closing a site or transfer of a site
• change of category
• change from or to single sex
• special needs provision
• boarding

The adjudicator decides these proposals where:

• the local authority does not decide proposals within 2 months of the end of the representation period
• the proposal is related to a proposal which must be decided by the adjudicator
• the Diocesan Board of any Church of England Diocese or the bishop of any Roman Catholic church in the relevant area appeal the decision of a local authority
• the governing board or foundation of a voluntary or foundation school refer the decision of a local authority

Find out more from the statutory guidance on making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools.

To make a referral, email the relevant documents as set out in the statutory guidance to: osa.team@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.

Foundation proposals

Local authorities may refer a proposal for a foundation school to acquire a foundation trust or a foundation majority to the adjudicator if it considers the proposal to have a negative effect on the standards at the school. This must be done during the 4-week representation period.

To make a referral, email the relevant documents as set out in the statutory guidance to: osa.team@schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk.