An Act to make provision with respect to children with special educational needs.
[30th October 1981]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 18(2)
C2Act amended by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 163(1), 231(7), 235(6)
C3Act modified by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 236(2)(a)
C4Act applied (provinces of Canterbury and York except Channel Islands and Isle of Man) (1.8.1991) by Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 1991( No. 2), s. 7(3);Archbishops' Instrument made 26. 7. 1991
Commencement Information
I1Act not in force at date of Royal Assent see s. 20(2); Act wholly in force on 01.04.1983
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (1.1.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1993/3106, art. 4, Sch. 1Appendix.
(1)In section 8(2) of the principal Act (which requires local education authorities to have regard to certain matters in fulfilling their duty to secure provision of primary and secondary schools) for paragraph (c) there is substituted the following paragraph—
“(c)to the need for securing that special educational provision is made for pupils who have special educational needs; and”
F2(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F2(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2(2)(3) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
F3S. 2(4)-(7) repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
Textual Amendments
F4S. 3 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F5S. 3A (which was inserted (14.10.1991) by 1989 c. 41, s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 36, Sch. 14 para. 1(1); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
(1)In section 8(2) of the principal Act (which requires local education authorities to have regard to certain matters in fulfilling their duty to secure provision of primary and secondary schools) for paragraph (c) there is substituted the following paragraph—
“(c)to the need for securing that special educational provision is made for pupils who have special educational needs; and”
F2(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F2(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2(2)(3) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
F3S. 2(4)-(7) repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
Textual Amendments
F4S. 3 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F6S. 4 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F7S. 5 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F8S. 6 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F9S. 7(10) repealed (3.3.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 2, Sch. 1, Appendix.
F10S. 7(1)-(9) and (11) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), SCh. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix
Textual Amendments
F11S. 8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F12S. 9 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix
Textual Amendments
F13S. 10 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
(1)In section 9 of the principal Act (county schools, voluntary schools, nursery schools and special schools) for subsection (5) there is substituted the following subsection—
“(5)Schools which are specially organised to make special educational provision for pupils with special educational needs and which are for the time being approved by the Secretary of State as special schools shall be known as special schools.”.
F14(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F14(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F14S. 11(2)(3) repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5The text of ss. 11(1), 17 and 21(4) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F15S. 12 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix .
Textual Amendments
F16S. 13 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, SCh. 2, Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F17S. 14 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F18S. 15 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I.1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix
Textual Amendments
F19S. 16 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
In section 36 of the principal Act (duty of parents to secure the education of their children) after the word “ aptitude” there are inserted the words “ and to any special educational needs he may have. ”
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6The text of ss. 11(1), 17 and 21(4) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
Textual Amendments
F20S. 18 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F21S. 19 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
[F22(1)In this Act—
“ child” includes any person who has not attained the age of 19 years and is registered as a pupil at a school;
“ ordinary school” means a school which is not a special school;
“ principal Act” means the M1Education Act 1944.]
(2)This Act shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions or different purposes.
(3)Any order under this section may make such transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions thereby brought into force, including such adaptations of those provisions, or of any other provisions of this Act then in force, as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose or in consequence of the operation of any provisions of this Act before the coming into force of any other provision.]
Textual Amendments
F22S. 20(1) (other than the definition of "principal Act") repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C7Power of appointment conferred by s. 20(2) fully exercised: 1.4.1983 appointed for residue of Act, (subject to transitional provisions) by S.I. 1983/7
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act may be cited as the Education Act 1981, and this Act and the Education Acts 1944 to 1980 may be cited as the Education Acts 1944 to 1981.
(2)This Act shall be construed as one with the principal Act.
(3)The transitional provisions made by Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect.
(4)The enactments mentioned in Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect subject to the minor and consequential amendments specified in that Schedule; and the enactments mentioned in Schedule 4 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column.
(5)This Act does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8The text of ss. 11(1), 17 and 21(4) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
Sections 5 and 7.
Textual Amendments
F23Sch. 1 repealed (1.4.1994 and 1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2, Appendix; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
1F24(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F24(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F25(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F24Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(2) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
F25Sch. 1 para. 1(3) repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2, Appendix
F262
Textual Amendments
F26Sch. 1 para. 2 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21, Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
F273
Textual Amendments
F27Sch. 1 para. 3 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix
F284
Textual Amendments
F28Sch. 1 para. 4 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21, Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2Appendix
F295
Textual Amendments
F29SCh. 1 para. 5 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix
F306
Textual Amendments
F30Sch. 1 para. 6 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2Appendix
F317
Textual Amendments
F31Sch. 1 para. 7 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21, Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2Appendix
Section 21.
1Any approval given under section 9(5) of the principal Act (special schools) before the commencement of section 12 of this Act and in force immediately before that date shall have effect for the purposes of the principal Act and of regulations made under section 12 as if it had been given under section 9(5) as amended by this Act.
F322
Textual Amendments
F32Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
F333
Textual Amendments
F33Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,appendix.
F344
Textual Amendments
F34Sch. 2 paras 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
F355
Textual Amendments
F35Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
F366
Textual Amendments
F36Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
F377
Textual Amendments
F37Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, reg. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
F388
Textual Amendments
F38Sch. 2 paras. 2-8 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Section 21.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C9The text of Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
F391
Textual Amendments
F39Sch. 3 para.1 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix .
F402
Textual Amendments
F40Sch. 3 para. 2 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix.
3In section 50(1) of the principal Act (provisions of board and lodging)—
(a)after the word “ aptitude” there are insertted the words “ and to any special educational needs he may have ”;
(b)for the words “ requiring special educational treatment” there are substituted the words “ having special educational needs ”; and
(c)for the word “ treatment”, in the second place where it occurs, there is substituted the word “ provision ”.
4In section 52(1) of the principal Act (recovery of cost of board and lodging) after the word “ aptitude” there are inserted the words “ or special educational needs ”.
5
Textual Amendments
6In section 114 of the principal Act (interpretation) for the definition of “special educational treatment” there is substituted— “ “ special educational needs” and “ special educational provision” have the same meanings given to them by section 1 of the Education Act 1981; ”.
7In section 5(1) of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1948 (provision of clothing) for the words from “receiving special” to the end there are substituted the words “ for whom special educational provision is made in pursuance of arrangements made by them ”.
8(1)Section 6 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 (payment of pupils’ fees at non-maintained schools) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2)—
F42(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)after the word “ pupil” in paragraph (a)(ii), in the second place where it occurs, there are inserted the words “ and any special educational needs he may have ”; and
F42(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) in paragraph (b) after the word “ aptitude” there are inserted the words “ and to any special educational needs he may have ”
Textual Amendments
F42Sch. 3 para. 8(2)(a)(c) repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21, Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2, Appendix.
Textual Amendments
F43Sch. 3 para. 9 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(6)(7), Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4), Sch.15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).
F449
Textual Amendments
F44Sch. 3 para. 9 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s.108(6)(7) (Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)), Sch. 15; S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2) and Sch. 3 para. 9 is expressed to be repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix
F4510
Textual Amendments
F45Sch. 3 para. 10 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix .
11In section 23(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (local education authorities not to discriminate in exercising functions under Education Acts), as amended by section 33(1) of the Education Act 1980, for the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1980” there are substituted the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1981 ”.
12In section 18(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 (local education authorities not to discriminate in exercising functions under Education Acts), as amended by section 33(1) of the Education Act 1980, for the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1980” there are substituted the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1981 ”.
F4613
Textual Amendments
F46Sch. 3 para. 13 repealed (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2,Appendix.
14In section 9(2) of the Education Act 1980 (application of that Act to special schools etc.) for the words “ in need of special educational treatment” there are substituted the words “ in respect of whom statements are maintained under section 7 of the Education Act 1981 (special educational needs) ”.
F4715
Textual Amendments
F47Sch. 3 para. 15 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
F4816
Textual Amendments
F48Sch. 3 para. 16 repealed (1.9.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 303, 307(1)(3), Sch. 19 para. 82, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1994/2038, art. 3, Sch. 2,Appendix.
Section 21.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10The text of Sch. 4 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
| Chapter | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 7 & 8 Geo. 6. c. 31. | The Education Act 1944. | Sections 33 and 34. |
| In section 37, in subsection (2) the words from “ provided that” to the end, subsection (3), in subsection (4) the words from “ requesting that another” to “ order or”, the words “ amend or”, the words from “ that the proposed” to “ child or” and the words “ as the case may be”. | ||
| Section 38. | ||
| 1970 c. 44. | The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. | Sections 25 to 27. |
| 1976 c. 81. | The Education Act 1976. | Section 10. |
| 1980 c. 20. | The Education Act 1980. | Section 10(6) and (7). |
| Section 33(1). |