OpenLegislation

Education and Skills Act 2008 in Scotland

2008 c. 25 · Enacted 26 November 2008 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 56 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. 1 para. 75omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 15(5)
Sch. 1 para. 77omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 15(5)
Sch. 1 para. 7omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 6(l)(ii)
Sch. 1 para. 10omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 6(l)(ii)
s. 143(3)omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 15(2)
s. 66(1)words omittedTertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 Sch. 4 para. 22(2)(a)
s. 66(1)words substitutedTertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 Sch. 4 para. 22(2)(b)
s. 158repealedChildren and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 Sch. 2
s. 56(3)words insertedCrime and Courts Act 2013 s. 26(8)
s. 98(3)(e)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(2)(a)(i)
s. 98(3)(ea)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(2)(a)(ii)
s. 98(3A)(3B)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(2)(b)
s. 99(5)word substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(6)
s. 99(6)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(3)
s. 101(2)-(2D)substituted for s. 101(2)(3)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(5)
s. 102(3)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(6)
s. 103substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(7)
s. 104(1)-(1B)substituted for s. 104(1)Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(a)
s. 104(2)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(b)(i)
s. 104(2)(a)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(b)(ii)
s. 104(2)(b)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(b)(iii)
s. 104(3)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(c)
s. 104(4)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(8)(d)
s. 105(1)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(b)(i)
s. 105(1)(a)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(b)(ii)
s. 105(1)(c)(ii)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(9)
s. 105(1A)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(c)
s. 105(2)words omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(d)
s. 105(3)(a)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(e)
s. 117(2)(a)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(3)
s. 118(1)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(4)(a)
s. 118(2)words omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(4)(b)
s. 124(4A)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(5)
s. 125(1)(b)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(10)
s. 125(1)(c)word omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(6)(a)(i)
s. 125(1)(c)words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(5)
s. 125(1)(e)-(h)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(6)(a)(ii)
s. 125(8)-(10)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(6)(b)
s. 126AinsertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(7)
s. 127A-127F and cross-headinginsertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 49(3)
s. 132(2)(a)(ii)word substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(7)(a)
s. 132(4)(b)(i)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(7)(b)
s. 138(1A)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(8)(b)
s. 138(3)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(11)
s. 138(4)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 49(4)
s. 166(6)(a)word insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(12)
Sch. A1insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 45(2)
s. 138(1)words substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(8)(a)
s. 118A-118FinsertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 44(4)
s. 101 cross-headingwords omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 46(4)
s. 105 headingwords substitutedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 48(2)(a)
s. 93omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(3)
s. 93AomittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(4)
s. 96(5)insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 45(1)
s. 97omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 49(2)
s. 98(3)(a)omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 43(5)

An Act to make provision about education and training; and for connected purposes.

[26th November 2008]

Be 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:—

Contents

  1. Duty to participate in education or training
  2. 1Persons to whom Part 1 applies
  3. Interpretation
  4. 5Full-time occupation
  5. 7Relevant period
  6. Duty to promote fulfilment of duty imposed by section 2
  7. Duty to promote good attendance
  8. Duty to identify persons not fulfilling duty imposed by section 2
  9. Guidance
  10. Interpretation Not yet in force
  11. 19Contracts to which Chapter applies Not yet in force
  12. 20Appropriate arrangements Not yet in force
  13. Commencement of employment Not yet in force
  14. 21Appropriate arrangements to be in place before employment begins Not yet in force
  15. 23Withdrawal or variation of penalty notice given under section 22 following notice of objection Not yet in force
  16. 24Appeal against penalty notice given under section 22 Not yet in force
  17. 25Further power to withdraw penalty notice given under section 22 Not yet in force
  18. 26Withdrawal or variation of penalty notice given under section 22: further provisions Not yet in force
  19. Employer to enable participation in education or training Not yet in force
  20. 27Duty to enable participation: initial arrangements Not yet in force
  21. 28Duty to enable participation: arrangements subsequently notified Not yet in force
  22. 29Sections 27 and 28: extension for person reaching 18 Not yet in force
  23. 30Contravention of section 27 or 28: enforcement notice Not yet in force
  24. 31Financial penalty for non-compliance with enforcement notice given under section 30 Not yet in force
  25. 32Withdrawal of enforcement notice given under section 30 Not yet in force
  26. 33Withdrawal or variation of penalty notice given under section 31 following notice of objection Not yet in force
  27. 34Appeal against penalty notice given under section 31 Not yet in force
  28. 35Further power to withdraw penalty notice given under section 31 Not yet in force
  29. 36Withdrawal or variation of penalty notice given under section 31: further provisions Not yet in force
  30. Supplementary
  31. 37Right not to suffer detriment Not yet in force
  32. 38Dismissal to be treated as unfair Not yet in force
  33. Chapter 4: Parenting contracts and parenting orders Not yet in force
  34. 40Parenting contracts Not yet in force
  35. 41Parenting orders Not yet in force
  36. 42Parenting orders: supplemental Not yet in force
  37. 43Parenting orders: appeals Not yet in force
  38. Chapter 5: Attendance notices Not yet in force
  39. Initial steps Not yet in force
  40. 45Failure to fulfil duty under section 2: initial steps Not yet in force
  41. Attendance notices Not yet in force
  42. 46Attendance notice Not yet in force
  43. Attendance panel, appeals and variations etc Not yet in force
  44. 49Appeal arrangements Not yet in force
  45. 50Variation and revocation of attendance notice Not yet in force
  46. Failure to comply with attendance notice Not yet in force
  47. 51Offence of failure to comply with attendance notice Not yet in force
  48. 52Restrictions on proceedings for offences under section 51 Not yet in force
  49. 53Failure to comply with attendance notice: penalty notice Not yet in force
  50. 54Penalty notices: appeal arrangements Not yet in force
  51. Supplementary Not yet in force
  52. 60Review of initial operation of Chapter Not yet in force
  53. 61Alternative ways of working Not yet in force
  54. 63House of Lords staff Not yet in force
  55. 67Corresponding provision for Wales Not yet in force
  56. 74Internet and telephone support services etc
  57. 75Inspection
  58. 79Existing functions of Secretary of State
  59. Assessments relating to learning difficulties
  60. Careers education
  61. Apprenticeships
  62. School transport etc
  63. 83Provision of transport etc for persons of sixth form age: duty to consider journey times
  64. 84Exercise of travel functions by local authorities in England: duty to have regard to religion or belief of persons of sixth form age
  65. Co-operation as regards 14-19 education and training
  66. Part 3: Assessments of effectiveness of education and training etc
  67. ...
  68. 87Benefit and training information
  69. 88Revenue and Customs information
  70. 89Use of information
  71. 90Wrongful onward disclosure of information
  72. 91Information: supplementary
  73. Introductory
  74. 92Independent educational institutions Independent educational institutions in England
  75. 93Application of Chapter to institutions in England only
  76. 93AApplication of Chapter to alternative provision Academies that are not independent educational institutions
  77. Standards
  78. Requirement of registration
  79. 95The register
  80. 96Unregistered independent educational institutions: offence
  81. 97Unregistered independent educational institutions: inspection
  82. Registration procedure
  83. 98Applications for registration
  84. 99Determination of applications for registration
  85. 99AInspections on appeal against decision not to register
  86. 100Institutions no longer required to register: power to deregister
  87. Approval of material changes to registered details Not yet in force
  88. 101“Material change” Not yet in force
  89. 102Requirement to apply for approval for material change Not yet in force
  90. 103Inspection and report where applications made for approval Not yet in force
  91. 104Determination of applications for approval Not yet in force
  92. 105Power to deregister institution that makes unapproved material change Not yet in force
  93. Independent inspectorates
  94. 106Independent inspectorates
  95. 107Quality assurance of independent inspectorates
  96. 107AInformation sharing between the Chief Inspector and independent inspectorates
  97. Inspections and reports
  98. 108Duty to inspect certain registered institutions at prescribed intervals
  99. 109Duty to inspect registered institution on direction of Secretary of State
  100. 110Inspections under this Chapter: power of entry etc
  101. 112Failure to pay fees
  102. 113Publication of inspection reports
  103. Failure to meet standards
  104. 114Action plans
  105. 115Power of Secretary of State to take enforcement action
  106. 116Enforcement action available to Secretary of State
  107. 117“Relevant restriction”
  108. 118Relevant restriction imposed by Secretary of State: supplementary
  109. Unsuitable persons
  110. 119Unsuitable persons
  111. Emergencies
  112. 120Application to justice of the peace for order
  113. 121Relevant restriction imposed by justice of the peace: supplementary
  114. Provision of information by proprietors
  115. 123Provision of information by proprietors
  116. Appeals
  117. 126Appeal by proprietor against order of justice of the peace
  118. 127Relevant restriction imposed by Tribunal: supplementary
  119. Prohibition on participation in management of independent educational institutions
  120. 128Prohibition on participation in management
  121. 129Directions under section 128: appeals
  122. 131Directions under section 128: notification
  123. Independent colleges for 16 to 18 year olds
  124. 133Regulations under section 132: supplementary
  125. Supplementary
  126. 134Proceedings for offences
  127. 135Offences by bodies corporate
  128. 136Offences by unincorporated bodies
  129. 137Service of notice etc
  130. 137AApplication of schools provision to independent educational institutions
  131. 138Interpretation of Chapter
  132. Transitional provision
  133. 139Continuity of the law
  134. 140The register and fees
  135. Chapter 2: Schools providing for special educational needs
  136. Non-maintained special schools in England
  137. 142Interpretation
  138. 143Right of sixth-form pupils to opt out of religious worship
  139. 144Protection of pupils in an emergency
  140. 145Appeals
  141. Independent schools in England
  142. 146Abolition of requirement of approval for independent schools: England Repealed
  143. 148Approval of independent schools: transitional provision Repealed
  144. Part 5: Miscellaneous and general
  145. School admissions
  146. 152Sixth form admissions etc: appeals
  147. 153School admissions: supplementary
  148. Maintained schools in England: behaviour and attendance etc
  149. 154Power of governing body: educational provision for improving behaviour
  150. 155Application of s.444 of Education Act 1996 to alternative education provision
  151. Maintained schools in England: assessment arrangements
  152. 156National Curriculum for England: duty to implement assessment arrangements
  153. Maintained schools: pupils' views Not yet in force
  154. 157Governing bodies of maintained schools to invite and consider pupils' views Not yet in force
  155. 158Consultation of pupils: existing functions Not yet in force
  156. Inspections of teacher training
  157. 164Inspections of teacher training in England: removal of duty to notify
  158. Schools forums
  159. 165Constitution of schools forums
  160. Chapter 3: General
  161. 166Orders and regulations
  162. 170Power to make consequential and transitional provision etc.
  163. 172Extent
  164. 173Commencement
  165. 174Short title
  166. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  167. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  168. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  169. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  170. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  171. Education Act 1996 (c. 56) Not yet in force
  172. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  173. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  174. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  175. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  176. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  177. 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
  178. 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
  179. Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  180. 12Paragraph 12
  181. Education Act 2002 (c. 32)
  182. 13Paragraph 13
  183. 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
  184. 15Paragraph 15
  185. 16Paragraph 16
  186. 17Paragraph 17
  187. 18Paragraph 18
  188. 19Paragraph 19
  189. 20Paragraph 20
  190. 21Paragraph 21
  191. 22Paragraph 22
  192. 24Paragraph 24
  193. Education Act 2005 (c. 18)
  194. 25Paragraph 25
  195. 26Paragraph 26 Not yet in force
  196. 27Paragraph 27 Not yet in force
  197. 28Paragraph 28
  198. 29Paragraph 29
  199. Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21)
  200. 30Paragraph 30
  201. 31Paragraph 31
  202. 32Paragraph 32
  203. 33Paragraph 33
  204. 34Paragraph 34
  205. 35Paragraph 35
  206. 36Paragraph 36
  207. Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40)
  208. 37Paragraph 37
  209. 38Paragraph 38
  210. 39Paragraph 39 Not yet in force
  211. 40Paragraph 40
  212. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (c. 47)
  213. Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) Not yet in force
  214. 42Paragraph 42 Not yet in force
  215. Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
  216. 43Paragraph 43
  217. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)
  218. 44Paragraph 44
  219. 45Paragraph 45
  220. 46Paragraph 46
  221. 47Paragraph 47
  222. Education Act 1996 (c. 56)
  223. 48Paragraph 48
  224. 49Paragraph 49 Not yet in force
  225. 50Paragraph 50
  226. 51Paragraph 51
  227. 52Paragraph 52
  228. School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31)
  229. 53Paragraph 53
  230. 54Paragraph 54
  231. 55Paragraph 55
  232. 56Paragraph 56
  233. 57Paragraph 57
  234. 58Paragraph 58
  235. 59Paragraph 59
  236. 60Paragraph 60
  237. 61Paragraph 61
  238. 62Paragraph 62
  239. 63Paragraph 63
  240. 64Paragraph 64
  241. 65Paragraph 65
  242. 66Paragraph 66
  243. 67Paragraph 67
  244. 68Paragraph 68
  245. 69Paragraph 69
  246. 70Paragraph 70
  247. 71Paragraph 71
  248. 72Paragraph 72
  249. 73Paragraph 73
  250. Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30)
  251. 74Paragraph 74
  252. Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21)
  253. 75Paragraph 75
  254. 77Paragraph 77
  255. Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21)
  256. 78Paragraph 78
  257. Education Act 2002 (c. 32) Not yet in force
  258. 79Paragraph 79
  259. Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38)
  260. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
  261. 81Paragraph 81
  262. Children Act 2004 (c. 31)
  263. 82Paragraph 82
  264. 83Paragraph 83
  265. 84Paragraph 84
  266. 85Paragraph 85
  267. Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40)
  268. 86Paragraph 86
  269. 87Paragraph 87
  270. 88Paragraph 88
  271. 89Paragraph 89 Repealed
  272. Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4) Not yet in force
  273. 90Paragraph 90
  274. Schedule 2Repeals and revocations