Explanatory note

These Regulations set out the requirement for maintained schools to set up school councils, which will provide pupils with the opportunity to discuss and make representations on matters relating to the school or other issues of concern to them.

Regulation 1 provides for the Regulations to come into force on 31 December 2005 and regulation 2 contains the interpretation provisions.

Regulation 3 sets out the purpose of school councils and the duties of head teachers and governing bodies in respect of the school councils.

Regulation 4 sets out the membership requirements of each school council.

Regulation 5 provides that certain provisions do not apply to special schools.

Regulation 6 provides that appointment to school councils will be by secret ballot unless arrangements are made for all registered pupils to be members of the school council.

Regulation 7 provides that certain school council members must be given the opportunity to become associate pupil governors and regulation 8 sets out amendments to the Government of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005.

A regulatory appraisal of these Regulations has been prepared and can be viewed on the National Assembly for Wales website (www.wales.gov.uk). Copies can be obtained from the Schools Management Division of the Department for Training and Education, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.