UK Act of Parliament 1997 United Kingdom

Education Act 1997

At a glance

Enforced by

HSE, Ofqual

What's here

10 compliance obligations · 1 statutory instrument

Penalty landscape

1 of 10 obligations carry a fine up to £2,500. 9 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Any Person 3
  • Director or Officer 2

Plus 5 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Part I — Assisted places scheme

Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part IV — Baseline assessments and pupils’ performance

Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part V — Supervision of curriculum for schools and external qualifications

Browse 28 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.026

Power of Authority to give directions

s.032

Power of Welsh Ministers to give directions

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Power of Welsh Ministers to impose monetary penalties

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Monetary penalties: amount

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Monetary penalties: appeals

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Monetary penalties: interest and recovery

s.032

Power of Welsh Ministers to withdraw recognition

s.032

Costs recovery

s.032

Costs recovery: appeals

s.032

Costs: interest and recovery

s.032

Surrender of recognition

s.032

Qualifications functions of Welsh Ministers: co-operation and joint working etc.

Part VI — Inspection of local authorities and school inspections

s.038

Inspection of local authorities.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must provide information to the Chief Inspector for inspections Local authority
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.041

Inspections involving collaboration of Auditor General for Wales

Part VII — Careers education and guidance

s.042

Information about technical education: access to English schools

  • Provide training providers access to pupils to discuss technical education Any Person
s.045

Guidance as to discharge of duties : schools in England

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must provide guidance on careers education duties Crown / Minister / Government department
s.045

Provision of curriculum information : Wales

  • Schools and colleges in Wales must provide curriculum info to service providers Director or Officer
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part VIII — Miscellaneous and general

s.053

Stamp duty.

  • Ensure exempt transfer documents are correctly stamped by HMRC Any Person
s.055

Financial provisions.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must provide funding for grants and administration Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Schedules

Browse 107 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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School inspections

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Minor and consequential amendments

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In section 4(2) of that Act (schools: general)—

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In section 6(1) of that Act (nursery schools), for “the...

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In section 14(4) of that Act (functions of local authority...

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In section 17(2) of that Act (powers of local authority...

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Minor and consequential amendments

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Minor and consequential amendments

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. . . . . . . . . ....

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Minor and consequential amendments

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Minor and consequential amendments

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In section 312(2)(c) of that Act (meaning of “learning difficulty”...

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In section 332(1) of that Act (duty of Health Authority...

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Minor and consequential amendments

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Omit sections 358 to 361 of that Act (provisions about...

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In section 362(7) of that Act (development work and experiments)—...

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In section 368(10) of that Act (procedure for making certain...

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In section 391(10) of that Act (functions of advisory councils)—...

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(1) In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972, in...

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In section 408 of that Act (provision of information)—

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Minor and consequential amendments

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In section 537(4) of that Act (power of Secretary of...

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For the cross-heading “CORPORAL PUNISHMENT” preceding section 548 of that...

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In section 551 of that Act (regulations as to the...

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(1) Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...

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Minor and consequential amendments

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In section 571 of that Act (publication of guidance)—

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At the end of section 578 of that Act (“the...

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In section 579(1) of that Act (general interpretation), after the...

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In section 580 of that Act (the index) at the...

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Minor and consequential amendments

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. . . . . . . . . ....

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Minor and consequential amendments

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(1) Section 3 of the Education Act 1996 (definition of...

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

HSE

Primary

Health and Safety Executive

Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

Regulates qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England. Approves and monitors awarding organisations. Maintains the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

1 statutory instrument

These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.

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Regulators

Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.