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Part IE+W General

Chapter IIIE+W [F1local authorities]

Textual Amendments

The authoritiesE+W

F212 [F1Local authorities] and their areas.E+W

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Textual Amendments

General functionsE+W

13 General responsibility for education.E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] shall (so far as their powers enable them to do so) contribute towards the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of the community by securing that efficient primary education, [F4and secondary education] [F5and, in the case of a [F3local authority] in England, further education,] are available to meet the needs of the population of their area.

(2)The duty imposed by subsection (1) does not extend to matters in respect of which any duty is imposed on—

[F6(a)the [F7Chief Executive of Skills Funding] F8...

[F9(aa)the National Assembly for Wales under Part 2 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, or]

(b)the higher education funding councils established under section 62 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.]

[F10(3)The reference in subsection (1) to further education is to further education for persons—

“(a)who are over compulsory school age but under 19, or

(b)who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to learning difficulty assessment.”

(4)For the purposes of this Act a person is subject to learning difficulty assessment if—

(a)a learning difficulty assessment has been conducted in respect of the person, or

(b)arrangements for a learning difficulty assessment to be conducted in respect of the person have been made or are required to be made.

(5)In subsection (4), a “learning difficulty assessment” means an assessment under section 139A or 140 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (assessments relating to learning difficulties).

(6)For the purposes of subsection (1), persons who are subject to a detention order are to be regarded as part of the population of the area in which they are detained (and not any other area).]

Textual Amendments

F4Words in s. 13(1) substituted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154, Sch. 9 para. 52(2) (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

F6S. 13(2)(a)(b) substituted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154, Sch. 9 para. 52(3) (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 13 modified (prosp.) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), {ss. 36(1)(10}, 162 (with s. 159)

[F1113ADuty to promote high standards and fulfilment of potentialE+W

(1)A local education authority in England must ensure that their relevant education functions and their relevant training functions are (so far as they are capable of being so exercised) exercised by the authority with a view to—

(a)promoting high standards,

(b)ensuring fair access to opportunity for education and training, and

(c)promoting the fulfilment of learning potential by every person to whom this subsection applies.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to the following—

(a)persons under the age of 20;

(b)persons aged 20 or over but under 25 who are subject to learning difficulty assessment.

(3)A local education authority in Wales must ensure that their relevant education functions and their relevant training functions are (so far as they are capable of being so exercised) exercised by the authority with a view to—

(a)promoting high standards, and

(b)promoting the fulfilment of learning potential by every person to whom this subsection applies.

(4)Subsection (3) applies to persons under the age of 20.

(5)In this section—

Textual Amendments

14 Functions in respect of provision of primary and secondary schools.E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] shall secure that sufficient schools for providing—

(a)primary education, and

(b)education that is secondary education by virtue of section 2(2)(a),

are available for their area.

(2)The schools available for an area shall not be regarded as sufficient for the purposes of subsection (1) unless they are sufficient in number, character and equipment to provide for all pupils the opportunity of appropriate education.

(3)In subsection (2) “appropriate education” means education which offers such variety of instruction and training as may be desirable in view of—

(a)the pupils’ different ages, abilities and aptitudes, and

(b)the different periods for which they may be expected to remain at school,

including practical instruction and training appropriate to their different needs.

[F12(3A)A [F3local 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.]

(4)A [F3local authority] is not by virtue of subsection (1)(a) under any duty in respect of children under [F13compulsory school age].

[F14(4A)A [F3local authority] for an area in Wales may secure that regional schools for providing—

(a)primary education, and

(b)education that is secondary education by virtue of section 2(2)(a),

are available for Wales or any part of Wales that includes the area of the authority.

(4B)For this purpose a “regional school”, in relation to a [F3local authority], is a school maintained by that authority which provides education to meet both—

(a)the needs of pupils with particular special educational needs in their area, and

(b)the needs of such pupils in the rest, or any other part, of Wales,

whether or not the institution also provides education suitable to the requirements of other pupils.]

F15(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)In exercising their functions under this section, a [F3local authority] shall in particular have regard to—

(a)the need for securing that primary and secondary education are provided in separate schools;

(b)the need for securing that special educational provision is made for pupils who have special educational needs; and

(c)the expediency of securing the provision of boarding accommodation (in boarding schools or otherwise) for pupils for whom education as boarders is considered by their parents and the authority to be desirable.

(7)The duty imposed by subsection (6)(a) does not apply in relation to middle schools or special schools.

Textual Amendments

F15S. 14(5) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 62, Sch.31 (with 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (with savings in Sch. 7 paras. 2-4, 6, 7, 10, 12)

[F1614ADuty of [F3local authority] to consider parental representationsE+W

(1)Where a [F3local 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 [F3local 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 [F3local 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 [F3local authority] must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.]

Textual Amendments

F1715 Functions in respect of provision of further education.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F17S. 15 repealed (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 153, 154, Sch. 9 para. 53, Sch. 11 (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

[F1815ZADuty in respect of education and training for persons over compulsory school age: EnglandE+W

(1)A [F3local authority] in England must secure that enough suitable education and training is provided to meet the reasonable needs of—

(a)persons in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, and

(b)persons in their area who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to learning difficulty assessment.

(2)A [F3local authority] may comply with subsection (1) by securing the provision of education or training outside as well as within their area.

(3)In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) whether education or training is suitable to meet persons' reasonable needs, a [F3local authority] must (in particular) have regard to—

(a)the persons' ages, abilities and aptitudes;

(b)any learning difficulties the persons may have;

(c)the quality of the education or training;

(d)the locations and times at which the education or training is provided.

(4)In performing the duty imposed by subsection (1) a [F3local authority] must—

(a)act with a view to encouraging diversity in the education and training available to persons;

(b)act with a view to increasing opportunities for persons to exercise choice;

(c)act with a view to enabling persons to whom Part 1 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 applies to fulfil the duty imposed by section 2 of that Act;

(d)take account of education and training whose provision the authority think might reasonably be secured by other persons.

(5)A [F3local authority] must, in—

(a)making any determination as to the provision of apprenticeship training that should be secured under subsection (1), or

(b)securing the provision of any apprenticeship training under that subsection,

co-operate with the Chief Executive of Skills Funding.

(6)For the purposes of this section a person has a learning difficulty if—

(a)the person has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of persons of the same age, or

(b)the person has a disability which either prevents or hinders the person from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided by institutions providing education or training for persons who are over compulsory school age.

(7)But a person is not to be taken to have a learning difficulty solely because the language (or form of language) in which the person is or will be taught is different from a language (or form of language) which has at any time been spoken in the person's home.

(8)In this section—

(9)The references in subsection (1) to—

(a)persons in a local authority's area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, and

(b)persons in a local authority's area who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to learning difficulty assessment,

do not include persons who are subject to a detention order.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

15ZBCo-operation in performance of section 15ZA dutyE+W

[F1Local authorities] in England must co-operate with each other in performing their duties under section 15ZA(1).]

Textual Amendments

[F1915ZCEncouragement of education and training for persons over compulsory school age: EnglandE+W

(1)A [F3local authority] in England must—

(a)encourage participation in education and training by persons in their area who are within section 15ZA(1)(a) or (b);

(b)encourage employers to participate in the provision of education and training for such persons.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), participating in the provision of training includes participating by entering into—

(a)an apprenticeship agreement (within the meaning given in section 32 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009), or

(b)any other contract of employment in connection with which training is provided.

(3)In this section “education” and “training” have the same meanings as in section 15ZA.]

Textual Amendments

[F2115A [F20Powers in respect of education and training] for 16 to 18 year olds.E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] [F22in Wales] may secure the provision for their area of full-time [F23or part-time] education suitable to the requirements of persons over compulsory school age who have not attained the age of 19, including provision for persons from other areas.

[F24(1ZA)A [F3local authority] in England may secure the provision for their area of full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons from other areas who are over compulsory school age but have not attained the age of 19.]

[F25(1A)The power under [F26subsections (1) and (1ZA)] to secure the provision of education includes power to secure the provision—

(a)of training, including vocational, social, physical and recreational training, and

(b)of organised leisure time occupation (within the meaning of section 2(6)) which is provided in connection with the provision of education or of training within paragraph (a).]

(2)Subsections (6) and (7) of section 14 shall apply in relation to functions under this section [in respect of secondary education] as they apply in relation to functions under that section.]

[F27(3)In exercising their functions under this section in respect of further education a [F3local authority] shall in particular have regard to the needs of persons with learning difficulties (within the meaning of [F28section 15ZA(6) and (7)]).

(4)A [F3local authority] may do anything which appears to them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise of their functions under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F21S. 15A inserted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 63 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (with savings in Sch. 7 paras. 2-4, 6, 7, 10, 12)

F23Words in s. 15A(1) inserted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154(5), Sch. 9 para. 54(2) (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

F25S. 15A(1A) inserted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154(5), Sch. 9 para. 54(3) (with s. 150) S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

F27S. 15A(3)(4) inserted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154(5), Sch. 9 para. 54(5) (with s. 150) S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 15A restricted (1.4.2001 (W.) and 1.8.2002 (E.)) by 2000 c. 21, s. 110(4) (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I; S.I. 2002/279, art. 2(3)(b)

C4Words in s. 15A(2) inserted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154(5), Sch. 9 para. 54(4) (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

[F2915B Functions in respect of education for persons over 19.E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] may secure the provision for their area of full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who have attained the age of 19, including provision for persons from other areas.

(2)The power under subsection (1) to secure the provision of education includes power to secure the provision—

(a)of training, including vocational, social, physical and recreational training, and

(b)of organised leisure time occupation (within the meaning of section 2(6)) which is provided in connection with the provision of education or of training within paragraph (a).

(3)In exercising their functions under this section a [F3local authority] shall in particular have regard to the needs of persons with learning difficulties (within the meaning of [F30section 15ZA(6) and (7)] ).

(4)A [F3local authority] may do anything which appears to them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise of their functions under this section.

(5)This section does not apply to higher education.]

Textual Amendments

F29S. 15B inserted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154(5), Sch. 9 para. 55 (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I

Establishment etc. of schoolsE+W

16 Power to establish, maintain and assist primary and secondary schools.E+W

(1)For the purpose of fulfilling their functions under this Act, a [F3local authority] may—

(a)establish primary schools and secondary schools;

(b)maintain primary and secondary schools, whether established by them or not; and

(c)assist any primary or secondary school which is not maintained by them.

(2)A [F3local authority] may under subsection (1) establish, maintain and assist schools outside as well as inside their area.

(3)A [F3local authority] may not under subsection (1) establish a school to provide—

(a)part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons of any age over compulsory school age; or

(b)full-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who have attained the age of 19.

[F31(3A)A [F3local authority] in England may not under subsection (1) establish a school which is principally concerned with the provision of full-time education suitable to the requirements of pupils who are over compulsory school age but under 19.]

Textual Amendments

17 Powers in respect of [F32nursery schools] .E+W

(1)A [F3local authority] may—

(a)establish nursery schools;

(b)maintain nursery schools established by them or by an authority which was a local education authority within the meaning of any enactment repealed by the M1Education Act 1944 or an earlier Act; and

(c)assist any nursery school not so established.

(2)Section 14(4) does not affect a [F3local authority]’s power under section 16(1) to establish, maintain and assist schools at which education is provided both for children under [F33compulsory school age] and for older pupils (including schools at which there are nursery classes for children under [F33compulsory school age]).

Textual Amendments

F32Words in s. 17 heading substituted (1.9.2008 for E.) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 109(2), Sch. 2 para. 20; S.I. 2008/2261, art. 2 (with Sch. 1)

F33Words in s. 17(2) substituted (1.8.1998) by 1997 c. 44, s. 57(1), Sch. 7 para.13; S.I. 1998/386, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.III

Marginal Citations

Other arrangements for provision of educationE+W

18 Power to arrange provision of education at non-maintained schools.E+W

A [F3local authority] may make arrangements for the provision of primary and secondary education for pupils at schools not maintained by them or another [F3local authority].

Textual Amendments

19 Exceptional provision of education in pupil referral units or elsewhere.E+W

(1)Each local education authority shall make arrangements for the provision of suitable F34. . . education at school or otherwise than at school for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them.

(2)Any school established (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) and maintained by a local education authority which—

(a)is specially organised to provide education for such children, and

(b)is not a county school or a special school,

shall be known as a “pupil referral unit”.

[F35(2A)Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to schools in England.

(2B) Any school established in England (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) and maintained by a local education authority which—

(a)is specially organised to provide education for such children, and

(b)is not a community or foundation school, a community or foundation special school, or a maintained nursery school,

shall be known as a “pupil referral unit”.]

(3)A local education authority may secure the provision of boarding accommodation at any pupil referral unit.

[F36(3A)In relation to England, the duty imposed by subsection (1) includes, except in prescribed cases, a duty to make arrangements for the provision of suitable full-time education at school or otherwise than at school for—

(a)children of compulsory school age who have been permanently excluded on disciplinary grounds from relevant schools or pupil referral units, and have not subsequently been admitted to schools other than pupil referral units, and

(b)children of compulsory school age who are excluded for a fixed period on disciplinary grounds from any pupil referral unit maintained by the authority.

(3B)The education referred to in subsection (3A) must be provided from a day that, in relation to the pupil concerned, is determined in accordance with regulations.]

(4)A local education authority may make arrangements for the provision of suitable F34. . . education otherwise than at school for those young persons who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them.

[F37(4A)In determining what arrangements to make under subsection (1) or (4) in the case of any child or young person a local education authority shall have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.]

(5)Any child for whom education is provided otherwise than at school in pursuance of this section, and any young person for whom full-time education is so provided in pursuance of this section, shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as a pupil.

[F38(6)In this section—

(7)Schedule 1 has effect in relation to pupil referral units.

Textual Amendments

F34Words in s. 19(1) and (4) repealed (1.9.1998) by 1997 c. 44, ss. 47(2)(3), 57(4), Sch.8; S.I. 1998/386, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. IV

F37S. 19(4A) inserted (1.9.1998) by 1997 c. 44, s. 47(4); S.I. 1998/386, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.IV

Modifications etc. (not altering text)