Education and Inspections Act 2006
Part 1 — Education functions of local authorities
Code for school admissions
1
For section 13A of EA 1996 substitute—
(13A) (1) A local authority shall ensure that their functions relating to the provision of education to which this section applies are (so far as they are capable of being so exercised) exercised by the authority with a view to— (a) promoting high standards, (b) in the case of a local authority in England, ensuring fair access to educational opportunity, and (c) promoting the fulfilment by every child concerned of his educational potential. (2) This section applies to education for— (a) children of compulsory school age (whether at school or otherwise); and (b) children under or over that age who are registered as pupils at schools maintained by the authority, and in subsection (1) “functions” means functions of whatever nature. (3) In this section “child” means a person under the age of 20.
Duties in relation to diversity and choice
2
In section 14 of EA 1996 (functions of local authorities in relation to the provision of primary and secondary education) after subsection (3) insert—
(3A) A local authority in England shall exercise their functions under this section with a view to— (a) securing diversity in the provision of schools, and (b) increasing opportunities for parental choice.
Education and training to satisfy entitlements
3
After section 14 of EA 1996 insert—
(14A) (1) Where a local authority in England receive any representation from a parent of a qualifying child as to the exercise by the authority of their functions under section 14, the authority shall— (a) consider the representation and what action (if any) to take in response to it, and (b) within a reasonable time provide the parent with a statement setting out— (i) any action which the authority propose to take in response to the representation, or (ii) where the authority are of the opinion that no such action is necessary, their reasons for being of that opinion. (2) In subsection (1) “qualifying child”, in relation to a local authority, means any child in the authority's area who is of or under compulsory school age. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any representation which— (a) appears to the local authority to be frivolous or vexatious, or (b) is the same as, or similar to, a representation previously received by the authority from the same person. (4) In exercising their functions under this section, a local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.
Financial provisions
4
- (1) In Chapter 2 of Part 6 of EA 1996 (school attendance) before the cross-heading preceding section 437 insert—
(436A) (1) A local authority must make arrangements to enable them to establish (so far as it is possible to do so) the identities of children in their area who are of compulsory school age but— (a) are not registered pupils at a school, and (b) are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school. (2) In exercising their functions under this section a local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. (3) In this Chapter, “suitable education”, in relation to a child, means efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have.
- (2) In section 437 of EA 1996, in subsection (8) omit the definition of “suitable education”.
- (3) In section 580 of EA 1996 (index) for the entry in the second column which relates to the expression “suitable education (in Chapter 2 of Part 6)” substitute “ section 436A(3) ”.
School improvement partners
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Functions in respect of youth work, recreation etc
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- (1) Before section 508 of EA 1996 (functions of local authority in respect of facilities for recreation and social and physical training), and immediately after the cross-heading which precedes that section, insert—
(507A) (1) A local authority in England must secure that the facilities for primary and secondary education provided for their area include adequate facilities for recreation and social and physical training for children who have not attained the age of 13. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a local authority may— (a) establish, maintain and manage, or assist the establishment, maintenance and management of— (i) camps, holiday classes, playing fields, play centres, and (ii) other places, including playgrounds, gymnasiums and swimming baths not appropriated to any school or other educational institution, at which facilities for recreation and social and physical training are available for persons receiving primary or secondary education; (b) organise games, expeditions and other activities for such persons; and (c) defray, or contribute towards, the expenses of such games, expeditions and other activities. (3) When making arrangements for the provision of facilities or the organisation of activities in the exercise of their powers under subsection (2), a local authority must, in particular, have regard to the expediency of co-operating with any voluntary societies or bodies whose objects include the provision of facilities or the organisation of activities of a similar character. (507B) (1) A local authority in England must, so far as reasonably practicable, secure for qualifying young persons in the authority's area access to— (a) sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities; and (b) sufficient recreational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities. (2) “Qualifying young persons”, for the purposes of this section, are— (a) persons who have attained the age of 13 but not the age of 20; and (b) persons who have attained the age of 20 but not the age of 25 and have a learning difficulty (within the meaning of section 13(5)(a) and (6) of the Learning and Skills Act 2000). (3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)— (a) “sufficient educational leisure-time activities” which are for the improvement of the well-being of qualifying young persons in the authority's area must include sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their personal and social development, and (b) “sufficient facilities for such activities” must include sufficient facilities for educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of the personal and social development of qualifying young persons in the authority's area. (4) References in the remaining provisions of this section to “positive leisure-time activities” are references to any activities falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1). (5) For the purposes of subsection (1) a local authority may — (a) provide facilities for positive leisure-time activities; (b) assist others in the provision of such facilities; (c) make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such facilities; (d) organise positive leisure-time activities; (e) assist others in the organisation of such activities; (f) make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such activities; (g) enter into agreements or make arrangements with any person in connection with anything done or proposed to be done under any of paragraphs (a) to (f); (h) take any other action which the authority think appropriate. (6) For the purposes of subsection (5)— (a) the provision mentioned in paragraph (a) may include establishing, maintaining and managing places at which facilities for positive leisure-time activities are provided; (b) the assistance mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (e) may include the provision of financial assistance; (c) the arrangements mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (f) may include the provision of transport, of financial assistance or of information to any person. (7) Before taking any action for the purposes of subsection (1) (“the proposed action”), a local authority must— (a) consider whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person, and (b) where the authority consider that it is so expedient, take all reasonable steps to enter into an agreement or make arrangements with such a person for that purpose. (8) For the purposes of subsection (7)(a) a local authority must consult such persons as the authority think appropriate as to whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person. (9) In exercising their functions under this section a local authority must— (a) take steps to ascertain the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area about— (i) positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area; (ii) the need for any additional such activities and facilities; and (iii) access to such activities and facilities; and (b) secure that the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area are taken into account. (10) A local authority in England must— (a) publicise information about positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area, and (b) keep the information publicised under paragraph (a) up to date. (11) A local authority may charge in respect of anything provided by the authority under this section where the provision is to a qualifying young person (whether or not in the authority's area). (12) In exercising their functions under this section a local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. (13) In this section— - “recreation” includes physical training (and “recreational” is to be construed accordingly); - “sufficient”, in relation to activities or facilities, means sufficient having regard to quantity; - “well-being”, in relation to a person, means his well-being so far as relating to— 1. physical and mental health and emotional well-being; 2. protection from harm and neglect; 3. education, training and recreation; 4. the contribution made by him to society; 5. social and economic well-being.
- (2) Schedule 1 contains amendments related to the provision made by subsection (1).
Part 2 — Establishment, discontinuance or alteration of schools
Establishment of new schools
Inspection administrators
7
- (1) A local authority in England may with the consent of the Secretary of State publish a notice under this section inviting proposals from persons other than local authorities for the establishment of any new school falling within subsection (2).
- (2) The schools falling within this subsection are—
- (a) a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school, other than one providing education suitable only to the requirements of persons above compulsory school age, or
- (b) an Academy school.
- (3) A notice under this section must—
- (a) identify a possible site for the school,
- (b) state whether or not the proposed school is to be a special school,
- (c) specify a date, being a date after the prescribed interval, by which proposals must be submitted,
- (d) specify such other matters as may be prescribed, and
- (e) be published in the prescribed manner.
- (4) Proposals made pursuant to a notice under this section must—
- (a) contain the prescribed information, and
- (b) be submitted to the local authority before the date specified in the notice.
- (5) After the date specified in a notice published by a local authority under this section, the authority—
- (a) must publish under this section any proposals submitted pursuant to the notice in accordance with subsection (4),...
- (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (5A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (6) Regulations may prescribe—
- (a) the time within which proposals under this section must be published, and
- (b) the manner in which they must be published, ...
- (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (7) Schedule 2 has effect in relation to the consideration, approval and implementation of proposals under this section.
Proposals under section 7 relating to community or community special schools
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Consultation and publicity in relation to notice and proposals under section 7
9
- (1) Before publishing a notice under section 7, the local authority must consult such persons as appear to the authority to be appropriate; and in discharging their duty under this subsection the authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.
- (2) Regulations may require the local authority to take prescribed steps for the purpose of promoting public awareness of any proposals published by them under section 7.
Publication of proposals with consent of Secretary of State
10
- (1) A local authority in England may with the consent of the Secretary of State publish under this section their proposals to establish a new community, community special, foundation or foundation special school, which—
- (a) is not to be one providing education suitable only to the requirements of persons above compulsory school age, and
- (b) is to replace one or more maintained schools, except where section 11(A2) applies or in a case within section 11(A3).
- (2) Any persons (“proposers”) may with the consent of the Secretary of State publish under this section their proposals to establish (otherwise than pursuant to a notice under section 7) a new foundation, voluntary controlled or foundation special school in England other than—
- (a) one providing education suitable only to the requirements of persons above compulsory school age, or
- (b) one in relation to which proposals fall to be published under section 11 by virtue of subsection (2) of that section.
- (3) Proposals under this section must—
- (a) contain such information, and
- (b) be published in such manner,
as may be prescribed.
- (4) Before publishing any proposals under this section, the local authority or proposers (as the case may be) must consult such persons as appear to them to be appropriate; and in discharging their duty under this subsection the authority or proposers must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.
- (5) Where any proposals are published under subsection (2), the proposers must submit the proposals in accordance with regulations to the local authority who it is proposed should maintain the school.
- (6) Schedule 2 has effect in relation to the consideration, approval and implementation of proposals under this section.
Publication of proposals to establish maintained schools: special cases
11
- (A1) Subsection (A2) applies where a local authority in England publish a notice under section 7 (notice inviting proposals for establishment of new schools), and—
- (a) no proposals are made pursuant to the notice, or
- (b) proposals are made pursuant to the notice but none of the proposals are approved under Schedule 2 or result in Academy arrangements being entered into.
- (A2) The local authority may publish under this section proposals of their own to establish a new community, community special, foundation or foundation special school, which is not to be one providing education suitable only to the requirements of persons above compulsory school age.
- (A3) Where a local authority in England propose to establish a new community, community special, foundation or foundation special school, which—
- (a) is to be a primary school, and
- (b) is to replace a maintained infant school and a maintained junior school,
the authority must publish their proposals under this section.
- (1) Where a local authority in England propose to establish—
- (a) a new maintained nursery school, or
- (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
the authority must publish their proposals under this section.
- (1A) Where any persons (“proposers”) propose to establish a new voluntary aided school in England, they may publish their proposals under this section.
- (2) Where any persons (“proposers”) propose to establish a new foundation, voluntary controlled or foundation special school in England which—
- (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (aa) is to replace one or more foundation or voluntary schools which have a religious character,
- (b) is to replace an independent school that is not an Academy, a city technology college or a city college for the technology of the arts, or
- (c) in the case of a new foundation special school, is to replace a non-maintained special school,
they must publish their proposals under this section.
- (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2)(aa), a new foundation or voluntary controlled school replaces a foundation or voluntary school which has a religious character if it is proposed that the new school—
- (a) should have the same religious character,
- (b) should have a different religious character, or
- (c) should not have a religious character.
- (3) A new foundation, voluntary controlled or foundation special school is not to be regarded for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) as replacing an independent school unless—
- (a) the independent school has been registered under Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 (regulation of independent educational institutions in England) for a continuous period of at least two years ending with the date of the publication of the proposals under this section, and
- (b) it is proposed that the independent school should continue in existence but should then close as an independent school immediately before the proposals are implemented.
- (4) A new foundation special school is not to be regarded for the purposes of subsection (2)(c) as replacing a non-maintained special school unless—
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