Education Act 1997
At a glance
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)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
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 II — School discipline
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
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Power of members of staff to restrain pupils.
Detention outside school hours lawful despite absence of parental consent.
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LEA plans relating to children with behavioural difficulties.
Part III — School admissions
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
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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
General function of National Assembly for Wales to advance education and training.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Assembly for Wales must promote education and training quality Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 28 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
General function of Authority to advance education and training.
Functions of the Authority in relation to curriculum and assessment.
Functions of the Authority in relation to external vocational and academic qualifications.
Other functions of the Authority.
Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by Authority of their functions.
Power of Authority to give directions
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales.
Functions of the National Assembly for Wales in relation to curriculum and assessment.
Functions of the National Assembly for Wales in relation to relevant qualifications
Other functions of the Authority.
Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by the National Assembly for Wales of its functions.
Power of Welsh Ministers to give directions
Power of Welsh Ministers to impose monetary penalties
Monetary penalties: amount
Monetary penalties: appeals
Monetary penalties: interest and recovery
Power of Welsh Ministers to withdraw recognition
Costs recovery
Costs recovery: appeals
Costs: interest and recovery
Surrender of recognition
Qualifications functions of Welsh Ministers: co-operation and joint working etc.
Dissolution of existing bodies.
Transfer of property.
Transfer of staff.
Levy on bodies awarding qualifications accredited by relevant body.
Requirement for approval of certain publicly-funded and school courses leading to external qualifications.
Part VI — Inspection of local authorities and school inspections
Inspection of local authorities.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must provide information to the Chief Inspector for inspections Local authority
Reports of inspections under s. 38 and action plan by local authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must prepare and publish action plans following inspections Local authority
Inspector’s rights of entry etc.
Fine up to £2,500- Obstructing an education inspector Any Person
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Inspections involving collaboration of Audit Commission.
Inspections involving collaboration of Auditor General for Wales
Miscellaneous amendments relating to school inspections.
Part VII — Careers education and guidance
Information about technical education: access to English schools
- Provide training providers access to pupils to discuss technical education Any Person
Provision of careers information at schools and other institutions.
- Provide careers and reference materials in Welsh schools and FE colleges Director or Officer
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
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
Provision of careers guidance in schools in England
Provision of careers education in schools in Wales Provision of careers education for certain persons: Wales
Schools and other institutions in Wales to co-operate with careers advisers.
Extension or modification of provisions of ss. 43 to 45 sections 42A to 45.
Part VIII — Miscellaneous and general
Stamp duty.
- Ensure exempt transfer documents are correctly stamped by HMRC Any Person
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
Functions of local authorities as regards exceptional educational provision.
Management committees for pupil referral units.
Power to make regulations: teachers not under contract of employment and persons having access to those under 19.
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Definition of “school”.
Commencement of compulsory school age.
Stamp duty land tax
Orders and regulations.
Construction.
Minor and consequential amendments, repeals etc.
Short title, commencement and extent etc.
Schedules
Browse 107 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
School inspections
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
In section 4(2) of that Act (schools: general)—
In section 6(1) of that Act (nursery schools), for “the...
In section 14(4) of that Act (functions of local authority...
In section 17(2) of that Act (powers of local authority...
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
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Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
In section 312(2)(c) of that Act (meaning of “learning difficulty”...
In section 332(1) of that Act (duty of Health Authority...
Minor and consequential amendments
Omit sections 358 to 361 of that Act (provisions about...
In section 362(7) of that Act (development work and experiments)—...
In section 368(10) of that Act (procedure for making certain...
In section 391(10) of that Act (functions of advisory councils)—...
(1) In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972, in...
In section 408 of that Act (provision of information)—
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
In section 537(4) of that Act (power of Secretary of...
For the cross-heading “CORPORAL PUNISHMENT” preceding section 548 of that...
In section 551 of that Act (regulations as to the...
(1) Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...
Minor and consequential amendments
In section 571 of that Act (publication of guidance)—
At the end of section 578 of that Act (“the...
In section 579(1) of that Act (general interpretation), after the...
In section 580 of that Act (the index) at the...
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments
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Minor and consequential amendments
(1) Section 3 of the Education Act 1996 (definition of...
Repeals
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
HSE
PrimaryHealth 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.
Connected legislation
1 statutory instrument
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (1)
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Regulators
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