Education Act 1993

Part I gives details on the responsibility for education.  This includes a general duty imposed on Secretary of State (s.1) and duty in the case of primary, secondary and further education (s.2).  Chapter II explains the responsibility for providing sufficient school places (s.12), provides direction to admit child to specific school (s.13).  Religious education provisions are set out (s.15 – 16).

Part II, Chapter I applies to grant maintained schools (s.22 – 36).  Chapter III includes details on property staff and contracts (s.38 – 47). Chapter V applies to the government, conduct etc. of grant maintained schools (s.55 – 80).  Chapter X is a miscellaneous section which includes changes in religious education and worship (s.141), details on the meaning of the appropriate agreed syllabus (s.142).  Other areas of religion are specifically dealt with in Sections 138 – 148.  Provisions on the approved admission numbers are given (s. 149 – 151).

Part III addresses children with special educational needs.  The Act includes details on the meaning of ‘special educational needs’ and ‘special educational provision’ (s.156), code of practice (s.157).  The Act also provides a qualified duty to secure education of children with special educational needs in ordinary schools (s. 160), there are specific duties of governing body etc. in relation to pupils with special educational needs (s.161).  There are further provisions which impose a general duty of local education authority towards children for whom they are responsible (s.165) and a duty is imposed on District Health Authority or local authority to help local education authority.  Details of assessment of educational needs are given (s.167).  Provisions in respect to assessments are set out (s.171 – s.176) this includes assessment of educational needs at request of child’s parents (s.173) and a duty of District Health Authority or National Health Service Trust to notify parent etc. (s.176).

The Special Educational Needs tribunal is provided for under Sections 177 – 181.

Part IV sets out the requirements of school attendance.  This includes school attendance orders (s.192).  Details of offences and education supervision orders in relation to school attendance are set out which includes details where there is failure to comply with school attendance order (s.198), failure to secure regular attendance at school of registered pupil (s.199), education supervision orders (s.202) and exemption where a child attains 5 years during term (s.203).

Part V applies to schools failing to give an acceptable standard of education.  Chapter I provides details relating to the identification of schools requiring special measures.  Provisions include details on inspections and reports (s.205 – s.209), special measures (s.210 – s.212).  Chapter II imposes new powers over schools requiring special measures (s.213 – s.217), education associations (s.218 – s.228).

Provisions relating to the National Curriculum are set out under Sections 240 – 243.  The functions are listed in Section 245.  Details and duties regarding the teaching of religious education are explained (s.254 – 259).

Part VI also provides details in regard to admissions and exclusions (s.260 – 262).  Section 261 restricts power to exclude pupils.

The school leaving date is set out and compulsory school age is set out under Section 277.

Independent schools are covered under Sections 290 – 294.  This sets out details regarding the employment of teachers including training for un-qualified teachers (s.291).  Corporal punishment is addressed in section 293.

SCHEDULES:

Schedule 2—Distribution of functions where order made under section 12.
Part I—Introductory.
Part Il—Functions where responsibility for providing sufficient school places is shared.
Part Ill—Functions where responsibility for providing sufficient school places is transferred.
Part IV—Functions where responsibility either shared or transferred.
Schedule 5—Governing bodies of grant-maintained schools.
Schedule 6—Content of articles of government for grant maintained schools.
Schedule 9—Making of assessments under section 167.
Schedule 10—Making and maintenance of statements under section 168.
Schedule 11—Government and conduct of grant-maintained special schools.
Schedule 14-School Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
Schedule 16—School admission appeals.
Schedule 18—Pupil referral units.
Schedule 20—Transitional provisions and savings.
Schedule 2 1—Repeals.

See here: Education Act 1993