Written question asked by Lord Morris of Manchester (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hill of Oareford (Conservative) on Monday, 30 April 2012.

Schools: Free Schools

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 23 April (WA 220), what monitoring is undertaken of the extent of compliance by free schools with the statutory requirement to ensure that any building work they undertake includes reasonable steps to make the school accessible to disabled children and young people.

Answer: The Education Funding Agency (EFA) supports free-school trusts with the procurement and delivery of free school building works, including ensuring compliance with all relevant building regulations. Monitoring of compliance with building regulations is also a general duty that the relevant local authority would enforce. All free schools are bound by both the statutory Independent School Standards and the Equality Act 2010. Before a free school can open, it is required to have an Ofsted pre-registration inspection; this looks at whether or not the free school is likely to meet the independent school standards once open. In looking at how the needs of pupils are going to be met, Ofsted may also ask to see the accessibility plan which all schools are required to produce under the Equality Act.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16832; 736 c426WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Schools: Special Educational Needs
Monday, 23 April 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Access Disability Free schools
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk