Education Act 1996

School attendance ordersE+W

437 School attendance orders.E+W

(1)If it appears to a [F1local 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 15 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) fails to satisfy the [F1local 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 [F1local 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 443(2) or 447(5).

(5)Where a maintained F2. . . school is named in a school attendance order, the [F1local authority] shall inform the governing body and the head teacher.

(6)Where a maintained F2. . . school is named in a school attendance order, the governing body (and, in the case of a maintained school, the [F1local authority]) shall admit the child to the school.

(7)Subsection (6) does not affect any power to exclude from a school a pupil who is already a registered pupil there.

(8)In this Chapter—

  • [F3“maintained school” means any community, foundation or voluntary school or any community or foundation special school not established in a hospital; and]

  • F4...

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 437(5)(6) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 113(a), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 437: power to disapply conferred (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 17 para. 7 (with ss. 88-90) (which affecting provision expires (25.9.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 (with s. 90))

C2S. 437: power to disapply conferred (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(1), Sch. 17 para. 5 (with ss. 88-90)

438 Choice of school: child without [F5EHC plan ] [F6or statement of special educational needs] [F6, or an individual development plan which names a school]. E+W

(1)This section applies where a [F1local authority] are required by virtue of section 437(3) to serve a school attendance order in respect of a child, other than a child for whom they maintain [F7an EHC plan (in the case of a local authority in England) or] [F8a statement under section 324] [F8a child for whom an individual development plan is maintained in which a particular school is named] [F9(in the case of a local authority in Wales)].

(2)Before serving the order, the authority shall serve on the parent a notice in writing—

(a)informing him of their intention to serve the order,

(b)specifying the school which the authority intend to name in the order and, if they think fit, one or more other schools which they regard as suitable alternatives, and

(c)stating the effect of subsections (3) to (6).

(3)If the notice specifies one or more alternative schools and the parent selects one of them within the period of 15 days beginning with the day on which the notice is served, the school selected by him shall be named in the order.

(4)If—

[F10(a)within the period mentioned in subsection (3) the parent applies for the child to be admitted to a school maintained by a [F1local authority] and, where that authority are not the authority by whom the notice was served, notifies the latter authority of the application, and]

(b)the child is offered a place at the school as a result of the application,

that school shall be named in the order.

[F11(5)If—

(a)within the period mentioned in subsection (3), the parent applies to the [F1local authority] by whom the notice was served for education to be provided at a school which is not a school maintained by a [F1local authority], and

(b)the child is offered a place at the school and the authority are required by virtue of regulations under section 18(3) to pay the fees payable in respect of the education provided for him at the school,

that school shall be named in the order.]

(6)If, within the period mentioned in subsection (3)—

(a)the parent—

(i)applies for the child to be admitted to a school which is not maintained by a [F1local authority] F12. . . , and in respect of which no application is made under subsection (5), and

(ii)notifies the [F1local authority] by whom the notice was served of the application,

(b)the child is offered a place at the school as a result of the application, and

(c)the school is suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and [F13to any special educational needs he may have] [F13—

(i)(in the case of a local authority in England) any special educational needs the child may have, or

(ii)(in the case of a local authority in Wales) any additional learning needs the child may have],

that school shall be named in the order.

Textual Amendments

F5Words in s. 438 title inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 39(3); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F7Words in s. 438(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 39(2)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F9Words in s. 438(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 39(2)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F10S. 438(4)(a) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 114(a) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F11S. 438(5) substituted (1.9.1999 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(1), 145(3), Sch. 30 para. 114(b) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F12Words in s. 438(6)(a)(i) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 114(c), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

439 Specification of schools in notices under section 438(2).E+W

(1)Subject to subsection (3), a [F1local authority] shall not, if it appears to them that subsection (2) applies in relation to any school, specify the school in a notice under section 438(2) unless they are responsible for determining the arrangements for the admission of pupils to the school.

(2)This subsection applies where, if the child concerned were admitted to the school in accordance with a school attendance order resulting from the notice, the number of pupils at the school in the child’s age group would exceed the number [F14[F15determined in accordance with section 89 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (determination of admission numbers)]) as the number] of pupils in that age group which it is intended to admit to the school in the school year in which he would be admitted.

(3)Subsection (1) does not prevent a [F1local authority] specifying in a notice under section 438(2) any maintained F16. . . school if—

(a)there is no maintained F16. . . school in their area which—

(i)the authority are not (apart from this subsection) prevented by subsection (1) from specifying, and

(ii)is, in the opinion of the authority, a reasonable distance from the home of the child concerned, and

(b)in the opinion of the authority, the school in question is a reasonable distance from the home of the child concerned.

(4)A [F1local authority] shall not specify in a notice under section 438(2) a school from which the child concerned is permanently excluded.

F17[(4A)A [F1local authority] shall not specify a school in a notice under section 438(2) if the admission of the child concerned would result in prejudice of the kind referred to in section 86(3)(a) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (parental preferences) by reason of measures required to be taken as mentioned in subsection (4) of that section.]

(5)Before deciding to specify a particular maintained F16. . . school in a notice under section 438(2) a [F1local authority] shall consult—

(a)the governing body, and

(b)if another [F1local authority] are responsible for determining the arrangements for the admission of pupils to the school, that authority.

(6)Where a [F1local authority] decide to specify a particular maintained F16. . .school in a notice under section 438(2) they shall, before serving the notice, serve notice in writing of their decision on—

(a)the governing body and head teacher of the school, and

(b)if another [F1local authority] are responsible for determining the arrangements for the admission of pupils to the school, that authority.

(7)A governing body or [F1local authority] on whom notice is served under subsection (6) may, within the period of 15 days beginning with the day on which the notice was received, apply to the Secretary of State for a direction under this section and, if they do so, shall inform the [F1local authority] which served the notice.

(8)Where the Secretary of State gives a direction under this section, the school or schools to be specified in the notice under section 438(2) shall be determined in accordance with the direction.

Textual Amendments

F14Words in s. 439(2) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 115(2) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, ar. 2(1), Sch. 1

F15Words in s. 439(2) substituted (1.10.2002 for E., 1.2.2006 for W.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), s. 216(4), Sch. 4 para. 14 (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/2439, art. 3 (with art. 4, Sch. paras. 310); S.I. 2006/172, art. 4, Sch.

F16Words in s. 439(3)(5)(6) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 115(3), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 439 modified (temp. from 1.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/1948, reg. 3, Sch. para. 8

C4S. 439 applied (with modifications) (18.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2666, reg. 8, Sch. paras. 1(a), 2-8

s. 439 applied (with modifications) (1.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2800, reg. 7, Sch. paras. 1, 2-8

C6S. 439 applied (with modifications) (W.) (1.2.2006) by The New School (Admissions) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/175), regs. 1(1), 9, Sch. (with reg. 2(2))

C7S. 439(2) transitional provisions for effects of 2002 c. 32, Sch. 4 para. 14 (W.) (1.2.2006) by The Education Act 2002 (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/173), regs. 1(1), 9

440 Amendment of order at request of parent: child without [F18EHC plan ] [F19or statement of special educational needs] [F19, or an individual development plan which names a school].E+W

(1)This section applies where a school attendance order is in force in respect of a child, other than a child for whom the [F1local authority] maintain [F20an EHC plan (in the case of a local authority in England) or] [F21a statement under section 324] [F21a child for whom an individual development plan is maintained in which a particular school is named] [F22(in the case of a local authority in Wales)].

(2)If at any time—

(a)the parent applies for the child to be admitted to a school maintained by a [F1local authority] F23. . . which is different from the school named in the order,

(b)the child is offered a place at the school as a result of the application, and

(c)the parent requests the [F1local authority] by whom the order was served to amend it by substituting that school for the one currently named,

the authority shall comply with the request.

(3)If at any time—

[F24(a)the parent applies to the authority for education to be provided for the child at a school which is not a school maintained by a [F1local authority] and which is different from the school named in the order,

(b)the child is offered a place at the school and the authority are required by virtue of regulations under section 18(3) to pay the fees payable in respect of the education provided for him at the school, and]

(c)the parent requests the authority to amend the order by substituting that school for the one currently named,

the authority shall comply with the request.

(4)If at any time—

(a)the parent applies for the child to be admitted to a school which is not maintained by a [F1local authority] F25. . . , which is different from the school named in the order and in respect of which no application is made under subsection (3),

(b)as a result of the application, the child is offered a place at the school, being a school which is suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and [F26to any special educational needs he may have] [F26—

(i)(in the case of a local authority in England) any special educational needs the child may have, or

(ii)(in the case of a local authority in Wales) any additional learning needs the child may have], and

(c)the parent requests the authority to amend the order by substituting that school for the one currently named,

the authority shall comply with the request.

Textual Amendments

F18Words in s. 440 title inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 40(3); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F20Words in s. 440(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 40(2)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F22Words in s. 440(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 40(2)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F23Words in S. 440(2)(a) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 116(a), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F24S. 440(3)(a)(b) substituted (1.9.1999 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(1), 145(3), Sch. 30 para. 116(b) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F25Words in S. 440(4)(a) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 116(c), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

441 Choice of school: child with [F27EHC plan ] [F28or statement of special educational needs].E+W

(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply where a [F1local authority] [F29in England] are required by virtue of section 437(3) to serve a school attendance order in respect of a child for whom they maintain [F30an EHC plan [F31(in the case of a local authority in England) or] a statement under section 324 [F32(in the case of a local authority in Wales)]].

(2)Where the [F33EHC plan ] [F34or statement] specifies the name of a school, that school shall be named in the order.

(3)Where the [F35EHC plan ] [F36or statement] does not specify the name of a school—

(a)the authority shall, F37. . . , amend the [F38EHC plan ] [F39or statement] so that it specifies the name of a school, and

(b)that school shall then be named in the order.

[F40(3A)[F41An amendment to a statement required to be made under subsection (3)(a) shall be treated for the purposes of Schedule 27 as if it were an amendment proposed following a periodic review (within the meaning of that Schedule).]]

[F42(3B)An amendment to an EHC plan required to be made under subsection (3)(a) shall be treated as if it were an amendment made following a review under section 44 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and that section and regulations made under it apply accordingly.]

(4)Where—

(a)a school attendance order is in force in respect of a child for whom the [F1local authority] maintain [F43an EHC plan ] [F44or a statement under section 324], and

(b)the name of the school specified in the [F45plan ] [F46or statement] is changed,

the [F1local authority] shall amend the order accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F27Words in s. 441 title inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(7); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F30Words in s. 441(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(2)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F32Words in s. 441(1) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(2)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F33Words in s. 441(2) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(3); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F35Words in s. 441(3) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(4)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F37Words in s. 441(3)(a) repealed (1.1.2002 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) by 2001 c. 10, s. 42(1)(6), Sch. 8 para. 15(2), Sch. 9 (with s. 43(13)); S.I. 2001/2217, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/2614, art. 4); S.I. 2001/3992, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II

F38Words in s. 441(3) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(4)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F40S. 441(3A) inserted (1.1.2002 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) by 2001 c. 10, s. 42(1), Sch. 8 para. 15(3) (with s. 43(13)); S.I. 2001/2217, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/2614, art. 4); S.I. 2001/3992, art. 5, Sch. Pt. II

F42S. 441(3B) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(5); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F43Words in s. 441(4)(a) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(6)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F45Words in s. 441(4)(b) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 41(6)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

[F47441AChoice of school: child with individual development plan which names a schoolE+W

(1)Where a local authority in Wales are required by virtue of section 437(3) to serve a school attendance order in respect of a child for whom an individual development plan is maintained in which a particular school is named, that school must be named in the order.

(2)Where—

(a)a school attendance order is in force in respect of a child for whom an individual development plan is maintained in which a particular school is named, and

(b)the name of the school specified in the plan is changed,

the local authority must amend the order accordingly.

(3)Where—

(a)a school attendance order is in force in respect of a child for whom no individual development plan is maintained in which a particular school is named, and

(b)an individual development plan in which a particular school is named begins to be maintained for the child,

the local authority must amend the order accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

442 Revocation of order at request of parent.E+W

(1)This section applies where a school attendance order is in force in respect of a child.

(2)If at any time the parent applies to the [F1local authority] requesting that the order be revoked on the ground that arrangements have been made for the child to receive suitable education otherwise than at school, the authority shall comply with the request, unless they are of the opinion that no satisfactory arrangements have been made for the education of the child otherwise than at school.

(3)If a parent is aggrieved by a refusal of the [F1local authority] to comply with a request under subsection (2), he may refer the question to the Secretary of State.

(4)Where a question is referred to the Secretary of State under subsection (3), he shall give such direction determining the question as he thinks fit.

(5)Where the child in question is one for whom the authority maintain [F48an EHC plan (in the case of a local authority in England)] [F49or a statement under section 324 (in the case of a local authority in Wales)]—

(a)subsections (2) to (4) do not apply if the name of a school or other institution is specified in [F50the EHC plan] [F51or the statement], and

(b)in any other case a direction under subsection (4) may require the authority to make such amendments in the plan [F52or the statement] as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in consequence of his determination.

[F53(6)Where, in the case of a local authority in Wales, the child in question is one for whom an individual development plan is maintained by the authority or by another local authority—

(a)subsections (2) to (4) do not apply if a school or other institution is named in the individual development plan, and

(b)in any other case a direction under subsection (4) may require the authority maintaining the individual development plan to make such amendments to the plan as is considered necessary or expedient in consequence of the determination.]

Textual Amendments

F48Words in s. 442(5) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 42(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)

F50Words in s. 442(5)(a) inserted (1.9.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 3 para. 42(c); S.I. 2014/889, art. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/2270 (as amended (1.4.2015) by S.I. 2015/505)