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The Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026

S.I. 2026/942 · Made 28 August 2026

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

EDUCATION, ENGLAND

Made 28th August 2026

Coming into force 29th August 2026

The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 69(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998f1 as applied in relation to independent schools by section 124B(1) and (2)f2 of that Act.

The Secretary of State has followed the procedure specified in the Religious Character of Schools (Designation Procedure) (Independent Schools) (England) Regulations 2003f3.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

1998 c. 31. Section 69(3) has been amended by paragraph 35 of Schedule 2 to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc. 4). By virtue of S.I. 1999/672, the powers conferred by these provisions are exercisable by the Secretary of State only in relation to England.

f2

Section 124B was inserted by S.I. 2003/2037. Subsections 124B(1) and (2) have been amended by S.I. 2012/976 and paragraph 37 of Schedule 2 to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 4).

f3

S.I. 2003/2314, amended by S.I. 2004/2262.

Contents

  1. 1Citation, commencement and extent
  2. 2Amendment of the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014
  3. 3Revocations
  4. Signature
  5. Explanatory note

1Citation, commencement and extent

(1)

This Order may be cited as the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026 and comes into force on 29th August 2026.

(2)

This Order extends to England and Wales.

2Amendment of the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014

In the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014f1, in the entry relating to Ahavas Torah Boys Academy M7 4QX in column 1, for “M7 4QX” substitute “M7 3NJ”.

3Revocations

The following provisions are revoked—

(a)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2003f1, the entry relating to Our Lady's Convent School, LE11 2DT;

(b)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.3) Order 2003f2, the entry relating to Hereford Catherdral Junior School, HR1 2NW;

(c)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2004f3, the entry relating to Bedstone College, SY7 0BG;

(d)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.6) Order 2004f4, the entry relating to Maidwell Hall, NN6 9JG;

(e)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2005f5, the entry relating to Milbourne Lodge Junior School, KT10 9EA;

(f)

in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No. 3) Order 2012f6, the entries relating to—

(i)

Focus School - Long Eaton Campus NG10 4HR, and

(ii)

Trinity Christian School, RG2 7AG;

(g)

in the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2023f7, article 3(1)(e).

Signature

Signed on behalf of the Secretary of State

Kate Dixon

Director

Department for Education

28th August 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the entry in the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1024) that relates to Ahavas Torah Boys Academy to reflect the changes to the school’s postcode.

This Order revokes the instruments listed in article 3 to the extent set out in that article. The revocations relate to schools that have closed.

Designation as a school with religious character permits the school to take account of certain religious or denominational considerations, such as when making specified employment decisions relating to teaching staff under sections 58 to 60 and 124AA of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.