Education Act 1996

[F1 509AD [F2 Local authorities] in England: duty to have regard to religion or belief in exercise of travel functions E+W

(1) A [F3 local authority] in England must have regard, amongst other things, in exercising any of their travel functions in relation to or in connection with the travel of a person or persons to or from a school, institution or other place,

[F4 (a) to any wish of a parent of such a person for him to be provided with education or training at a particular school, institution or other place where that wish is based on the parent's religion or belief, and

(b) in a case where the person in question (or any of the persons in question) is of sixth form age (within the meaning given in section 509AC(1)), to any wish of that person to be provided with education or training at a particular school, institution or other place where that wish is based on the person's religion or belief.]

(2) The “travel functions” of a [F3 local authority] in England are their functions under any of the following provisions—

• section 508A (duty to promote sustainable modes of travel etc);

• section 508B (travel arrangements for eligible children);

• section 508C (travel arrangements etc for other children);

• section 508E and Schedule 35C (school travel schemes);

• [F5 section 508F ([F2 local authorities] in England: provision of transport etc for adult learners);]

• section 509AA (transport etc for persons of sixth form age).

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “religion” means any religion,

(b) “belief” means any religious or philosophical belief,

(c) a reference to religion includes a reference to lack of religion, and

(d) a reference to belief includes a reference to lack of belief.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 509AD inserted (1.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.9.2007 for specified purposes) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), ss. 84, 188(3); S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(p); S.I. 2007/1801, art. 4(e)

F2 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(3) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

F3 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

F4 Words in s. 509AD(1) substituted (7.3.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 84, 173(4); S.I. 2009/387, art. 3(1) (with art. 3(3))

F5 Words in s. 509AD(2) substituted (1.4.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 57(3), 269(4); S.I. 2010/303, art. 3, Sch. 2 (with art. 8)