OpenLegislation

Education Act 1997

1997 c. 44 · Enacted 21 March 1997 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 7 para. 23omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 6(a)
Sch. 7 para. 24omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 6(a)

An Act to amend the law relating to education in schools and further education in England and Wales; to make provision for the supervision of the awarding of external academic and vocational qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.

[21st March 1997]

E1C1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2C3C4

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: functions transferred (1.7.1999) in relation to specified provisions by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch.1

Act applied (E.W.) (1.6.2001) by S.I. 2001/1507, reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 2

C2

Act applied (1.4.2005) by Central Sussex College (Government) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/397), Sch. 2 para. 2

C3

Act modified (7.4.2005) by Education Act 2005 (c. 18), s. 96(2)

C4

Education Acts modified (temp.) (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 6 para. 3(3); S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(bb)

Extent

E1

For the extent of this Act, see s. 58(5)-(7); amendments and repeals of enactments extending to S. and N.I. are co-extensive with those enactments.

Contents

  1. Part I: Assisted places scheme
  2. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  3. Part II: School discipline
  4. Responsibility for discipline
  5. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. Power to restrain pupils
  8. 4Power of members of staff to restrain pupils. Repealed
  9. Detention
  10. 5Detention outside school hours lawful despite absence of parental consent. Repealed
  11. Exclusion of pupils from school
  12. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  13. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  14. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  15. LEA plans
  16. 9LEA plans relating to children with behavioural difficulties. Repealed
  17. Part III: School admissions
  18. Chapter I: County and voluntary schools
  19. Partially-selective schools
  20. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  21. Children permanently excluded from two or more schools
  22. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  24. Home-school partnership documents Not yet in force
  25. 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. Chapter II: Grant-maintained schools
  27. 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  28. Part IV: Baseline assessments and pupils’ performance
  29. Chapter I: Baseline assessments Repealed
  30. 15Introductory Repealed
  31. 16Adoption of baseline assessment schemes. Repealed
  32. 17Assessment of pupils in accordance with scheme. Repealed
  33. 18Regulations for purposes of this Chapter. Repealed
  34. Chapter II: Pupils’ performance
  35. 19School performance targets.
  36. 20Provision of information about individual pupils’ performance.
  37. Part V: Supervision of curriculum for schools and external qualifications
  38. Chapter I: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
  39. Establishment of the Authority
  40. 21The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Repealed
  41. Functions of the Authority
  42. 22General function of Authority to advance education and training. Repealed
  43. 23Functions of the Authority in relation to curriculum and assessment. Repealed
  44. 24Functions of the Authority in relation to external vocational and academic qualifications. Repealed
  45. 25Other functions of the Authority. Repealed
  46. 26Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by Authority of their functions. Repealed
  47. 26APower of Authority to give directions Repealed
  48. Chapter II: Functions of the National Assembly for Wales
  49. ...
  50. 27The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales. Repealed
  51. Functions of the National Assembly for Wales
  52. 28General function of National Assembly for Wales to advance education and training. Repealed
  53. 29Functions of the National Assembly for Wales in relation to curriculum and assessment. Repealed
  54. 30Functions of the National Assembly for Wales in relation to relevant qualifications Repealed
  55. 31Other functions of the Authority. Repealed
  56. 32Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by the National Assembly for Wales of its functions. Repealed
  57. 32ZAQualifications functions of Welsh Ministers: co-operation and joint working etc. Repealed
  58. 32APower of Welsh Ministers to give directions Repealed
  59. 32AAPower of Welsh Ministers to impose monetary penalties Repealed
  60. 32ABMonetary penalties: amount Repealed
  61. 32ACMonetary penalties: appeals Repealed
  62. 32ADMonetary penalties: interest and recovery Repealed
  63. 32BPower of Welsh Ministers to withdraw recognition Repealed
  64. 32BACosts recovery Repealed
  65. 32BBCosts recovery: appeals Repealed
  66. 32BCCosts: interest and recovery Repealed
  67. 32CSurrender of recognition Repealed
  68. Chapter III: Provisions supplementary to Chapters I and II
  69. Dissolution of existing bodies
  70. 33Dissolution of existing bodies. Repealed
  71. Transfer of property and staff
  72. 34Transfer of property. Repealed
  73. 35Transfer of staff. Repealed
  74. Levy on bodies awarding accredited qualifications
  75. 36Levy on bodies awarding qualifications accredited by relevant body. Repealed
  76. Chapter IV: Control of certain courses leading to external qualifications
  77. 37Requirement for approval of certain publicly-funded and school courses leading to external qualifications. Repealed
  78. Part VI: Inspection of local authorities and school inspections
  79. Chapter I: Inspection of local authorities in Wales
  80. 38Inspection of local authorities in Wales.
  81. 39Reports of inspections under s. 38 and action plan by local authority
  82. 40Inspector’s rights of entry etc.
  83. 41Inspections involving collaboration of Audit Commission. Repealed
  84. 41AInspections involving collaboration of Auditor General for Wales
  85. Chapter II: School Inspections
  86. 42Miscellaneous amendments relating to school inspections. Repealed
  87. Part VII: Careers education and guidance
  88. 42AProvision of careers guidance in schools in England
  89. 42BInformation about technical education: access to English schools
  90. 43Provision of careers education for certain persons: Wales
  91. 44Schools and other institutions in Wales to co-operate with careers advisers.
  92. 45Provision of careers information at schools and other institutions.
  93. 45AGuidance as to discharge of duties : schools in England
  94. 45BProvision of curriculum information: Wales
  95. 46Extension or modification of provisions of sections 42A to 45.
  96. Part VIII: Miscellaneous and general
  97. Exceptional educational provision
  98. 47Functions of local authorities as regards exceptional educational provision.
  99. Management committees for pupil referral units
  100. 48Management committees for pupil referral units.
  101. Teachers not under contract of employment and persons having access to those under 19
  102. 49Power to make regulations: teachers not under contract of employment and persons having access to those under 19. Repealed
  103. Costs of teachers’ premature retirement
  104. 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  105. Definition of “school”
  106. 51Definition of “school”.
  107. Compulsory school age
  108. 52Commencement of compulsory school age.
  109. General provisions
  110. 53Stamp duty.
  111. 53AStamp duty land tax
  112. 54Orders and regulations.
  113. 55Financial provisions.
  114. 56Construction.
  115. 57Minor and consequential amendments, repeals etc.
  116. 58Short title, commencement and extent etc.
  117. Schedule 1Schedule 1
  118. Schedule 2Schedule 2
  119. Schedule 3Schedule 3
  120. Schedule 4: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Repealed
  121. Status Repealed
  122. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  123. Powers Repealed
  124. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  125. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  126. Chief officer Repealed
  127. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  128. Chairman and chief officer: division of functions Repealed
  129. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  130. Tenure of office Repealed
  131. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  132. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  133. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  134. Payments to members Repealed
  135. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  136. Staff Repealed
  137. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  138. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  139. Finance Repealed
  140. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  141. Committees Repealed
  142. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  143. Delegation of functions Repealed
  144. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  145. Proceedings Repealed
  146. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  147. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  148. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  149. Accounts Repealed
  150. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  151. Documents Repealed
  152. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  153. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  154. Schedule 5: The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales Repealed
  155. Status Repealed
  156. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  157. Powers Repealed
  158. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  159. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  160. Chief officer Repealed
  161. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  162. Tenure of office Repealed
  163. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  164. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  165. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  166. Payments to members Repealed
  167. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  168. Staff Repealed
  169. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  170. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  171. Finance Repealed
  172. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  173. Committees Repealed
  174. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  175. Delegation of functions Repealed
  176. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  177. Proceedings Repealed
  178. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  179. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  180. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  181. Accounts Repealed
  182. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  183. Documents Repealed
  184. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  185. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  186. Schedule 6: School inspections
  187. Introductory Repealed
  188. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  189. Rights of entry et ceteralaetc. for Chief Inspectors Repealed
  190. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  191. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  192. Removal of inspectors from register Repealed
  193. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  194. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  195. Inspections of closing schools Repealed
  196. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  197. Publication of inspection reports Repealed
  198. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  199. Computer records Repealed
  200. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  201. Delegation of functions of Chief Inspectors Repealed
  202. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  203. Tenders and consultation Repealed
  204. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  205. Inspection teams Repealed
  206. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  207. Rights of entry et ceteralaetc. for registered inspectors Repealed
  208. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  209. Schedule 7: Minor and consequential amendments
  210. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  211. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  213. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  214. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  215. 3Paragraph 3
  216. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  217. 4Paragraph 4
  218. Local Government Finance Act 1982 (c. 32)
  219. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  220. Finance Act 1991 (c. 31)
  221. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  222. Charities Act 1993 (c. 10)
  223. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  224. Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996 (c. 50)
  225. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  226. Education Act 1996 (c. 56)
  227. 9Paragraph 9
  228. 10Paragraph 10
  229. 11Paragraph 11
  230. 12Paragraph 12
  231. 13Paragraph 13
  232. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  233. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  234. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  235. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  236. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  237. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  238. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  239. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  240. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  241. 23Paragraph 23
  242. 24Paragraph 24
  243. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  244. 26Paragraph 26
  245. 27Paragraph 27
  246. 28Paragraph 28
  247. 29Paragraph 29
  248. 30Paragraph 30
  249. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  250. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  251. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  252. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  253. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  254. 36Paragraph 36 Repealed
  255. 37Paragraph 37
  256. 38Paragraph 38
  257. 39Paragraph 39
  258. 40Paragraph 40 Repealed
  259. 41Paragraph 41
  260. 42Paragraph 42
  261. 43Paragraph 43
  262. 44Paragraph 44
  263. 45Paragraph 45 Repealed
  264. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  265. 47Paragraph 47 Repealed
  266. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  267. 49Paragraph 49 Repealed
  268. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  269. School Inspections Act 1996 (c. 57)
  270. 51Paragraph 51 Repealed
  271. Schedule 8Repeals