Part IV SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
School attendance orders
I1192 School attendance orders.
1
If it appears to a local education authority that a child of compulsory school age in their area is not receiving suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise, they shall serve a notice in writing on the parent requiring him to satisfy them within the period specified in the notice that the child is receiving such education.
2
That period shall not be less than fifteen days beginning with the day on which the notice is served.
3
If—
a
a parent on whom a notice has been served under subsection (1) above fails to satisfy the local education authority, within the period specified in the notice, that the child is receiving suitable education, and
b
in the opinion of the authority it is expedient that the child should attend school,
the authority shall serve on the parent an order (referred to in this Act as a “school attendance order”), in such form as may be prescribed, requiring him to cause the child to become a registered pupil at a school named in the order.
4
A school attendance order shall (subject to any amendment made by the local education authority) continue in force for so long as the child is of compulsory school age, unless—
a
it is revoked by the authority, or
b
a direction is made in respect of it under section 198(2) or 202(5) of this Act.
C15
Where a maintained or grant-maintained school is named in a school attendance order, the local education authority shall inform the governing body and the head teacher.
C16
Where a maintained or grant-maintained school is named in a school attendance order the governing body (and, in the case of a maintained school, the local education authority) shall admit the child to the school.
7
Subsection (6) above does not affect any power to exclude from a school a pupil who is already a registered pupil there.
8
In this section “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.