The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Exceptions N.I.

18.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), this Part does not have effect in relation to—

(a) nursery schools;

(b) special schools;

(c) schools established in hospitals;

(d) the preparatory departments of grammar schools;

(e) the admission to a grant-aided school of children who will not have attained compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission; or

(f) the admission to a grant-aided school of children in respect of whom statements are maintained under Article 16 of the [1996 NI 1.] Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

(2) Paragraphs (3) to (6) of Article 17 apply to schools and children mentioned in[F1 paragraph (1)(b), (d) and (f)].

(3) Where the arrangements for the admission of children to a grant-aided school provide for the admission to the school of children who will not be of compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission—

(a) this Part shall have effect in relation to the admission of such children to the school otherwise than for nursery education; and

(b) the transfer to a reception class at the school of children previously admitted to the school for nursery education shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as the admission of such children to the school.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)—

(a) children are to be regarded as admitted to a school for nursery education if they are or are to be placed on admission in a nursery class;

(b) “reception class” means a class in which education is provided which is suitable to the requirements of children aged four and any pupils over that age whom it is expedient to educate together with pupils of that age;

(c) “nursery class” means a class in which education is provided which is suitable to the requirements of children who have attained the age of two but have not attained the lower limit of compulsory school age.

F1 1998 NI 13