Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

What is the position when parents do not request the council to prepare the plan? Section 3(1)(a) refers to parents notifying the principal; however, section 3(1)(b) states that the principal can form an opinion in respect of a student. What is the position in this case? Irrespective of what the parents decide to do, surely the principal should be able to make a decision, as is the case under section 3(3) where, having taken measures, the student is not benefiting from the education programme provided. Why can the principal not make a determination before trying to implement a programme if he or she feels he or she cannot provide for the educational needs of the student, without having to wait for the parents to make such an application or implement a programme in the first place?