What is the Local Education Authority?
Well the LEA was created by the UK Government in 2021. It is a national body but is now part of the Welsh Government. It is there so that there is a central set of controls on education and teaching in Wales. It is like a board which have many powers, and one of these is to ensure that all teachers and educational practitioners within Wales have the right qualifications and training that they need.
There are basically three levels of local education authority.
The first is the local education board. This is the governing body of education in your area. They set the criteria for teaching and learning and set the fees for students to attend different schools. The next level of authority is the board of education.
This is the governing body for the area where a school is based. In some ways it is like a county board but instead of counties there are small units of local area. They include individual towns and villages. The third level of authority is the education service board. This is the local governing body for all other education units apart from a town or village.
What is the remit of the education authority? The main aim of this body is to provide an adequate level of education for local residents. They do this by ensuring that all teachers, students, parents and other individuals involved in education have the right qualifications and that they have met all other criteria of competence. They also make sure that schools are properly safeguarded so that children and young people are protected from harm. There are also certain criteria that schools must meet regarding the way they provide education.
How are you going to be affected?
This is important because many parents do not understand what the role of the local education board is. If you are a resident then you will have a role to play here. The Department for Education in Scotland has produced a useful website where you can find out more about the responsibilities of the education board in your area.
Why should you go to the Local Education Authority?
The reason why you should go to the Local Education Authority is to make sure that you get an adequate level of education for your child. You are also able to have greater control over how your education is administered. The role of the education authority is one which is very much needed in these uncertain times and it is a duty that should not be ignored.