Explanatory note
Scotland
(This Note is not part of the Regulations.)
Section 19 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1962, enables the Secretary of State to make regulations prescribing standards applicable to the premises and equipment of schools under the management of education authorities.
Part II of these regulations prescribes general requirements as to approval by the Secretary of State of sites for and plans of buildings and playing fields.
Part III of these regulations prescribes the standards for the purposes of section 19. The standards relate to—
the area of sites for schools and for playing fields;
the minimum area of educational accommodation for primary, secondary, nursery and special schools;
the ancillary accommodation to be provided—kitchens, sanitary and washing accommodation for pupils, staff accommodation, medical and rest room accommodation; storage and outdoor educational and recreational areas; and
services for all premises—lighting, ventilation, heating, acoustic conditions and water supply.
Under Section 76(1) of the Act of 1962 (which enables the Secretary of State to prescribe conditions upon which he gives grants to bodies other than education authorities) conformity with the approval standards prescribed in Part III of the regulations is made a condition upon which grant is paid to the governors of grant-aided schools. The governors must also obtain approval to the use of sites and of the plans of new buildings and work must not begin until approval has been given.
The Glossary of Terms used in Illumination and Photometry referred to in Regulation 21 is published by the British Standards Institution and is a publication available to the public.
These regulations supersede the School Premises (Standards and General Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 1959 to 1964.