Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000

Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make further provision as respects school education, the welfare of pupils attending independent schools and corporal punishment of pupils for whom school education is provided; to make further provision as respects School Boards; to make further provision as respects the functions, constitution and structure of the General Teaching Council for Scotland; to abolish the committee known as the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for School Education; to make further provision relating to the inspection of institutions within the higher education sector which educate and train persons to be, or persons who are, teachers in schools; and for connected purposes. It shall be the right of every child of school age to be provided with school education by, or by virtue of arrangements made, or entered into, by, an education authority. Where school education is provided to a child or young person by, or by virtue of arrangements made, or entered into, by, an education authority it shall be the duty of the authority to secure that the education is directed to the development of the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of the child or young person to their fullest potential. In carrying out their duty under this section, an education authority shall have due regard, so far as is reasonably practicable, to the views (if there is a wish to express them) of the child or young person in decisions that significantly affect that child or young person, taking account of the child or young person’s age and maturity. The Scottish Ministers must endeavour to ensure that— schools managed by education authorities, grant-aided schools, and hostels provided and maintained by education authorities for pupils, are health-promoting. An education authority must endeavour to ensure that— schools managed by them, and hostels provided and maintained by them for pupils, The managers of a grant-aided school must endeavour to ensure that the school is health-promoting. In carrying out the duty imposed by subsection (2) or (3), an education authority or, as the case may be, the managers of a grant-aided school must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section. Each education authority must prepare and publish each year a statement (an “annual statement”) setting out the ways in which the authority proposes to carry out the duty imposed by subsection (2) during the relevant period. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each relevant period, each education authority must prepare and publish a report setting out the ways in which the authority has carried out the duty imposed by subsection (2) during the relevant period. In subsections (4A) and (4B), “relevant period”, in relation to an annual statement, means the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the day on which the annual statement is published. In this section, a school or hostel is “health-promoting” if it provides (whether on its own or in conjunction with Health Boards, parents or any other person)— activities, and an environment and facilities, which promote the physical, social, mental and emotional health and well-being of pupils in attendance at the school or residing in the hostel. The Scottish Ministers shall endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education which is provided for Scotland; and they shall exercise their powers in relation to such provision with a view to raising standards of education. An education authority shall endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education which is provided in the schools managed by them; and they shall exercise their functions in relation to such provision with a view to raising standards of education. The duties under subsection (2) above shall apply also in relation to school education which is provided in pursuance of any arrangements made, or entered into, by an education authority under— section 14 of the 1980 Act; or section 35 of this Act. In subsections (1) to (3) above, “school education” means school education directed as is described in section 2 of this Act. The Scottish Ministers must, when exercising their powers relating to school education, have due regard to the need to exercise the powers in the way mentioned in subsection (2). The way is a way designed to reduce inequalities of outcome for— pupils who experience those inequalities as a result of socio-economic disadvantage, and pupils who— experience those inequalities other than as a result of socio-economic disadvantage, and are of such description as may be specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers. Regulations under subsection (2)(b)(ii) are subject to the affirmative procedure. This section applies where— an education authority is making a decision of a strategic nature about the carrying out of its functions relating to school education, or an education authority is considering what steps to take to implement such a decision. The authority must have due regard to the need to carry out its functions relating to school education in the way mentioned in section 3A(2). The authority must— seek and have regard to the views of persons mentioned in subsection (4) in relation to the decision and steps, provide any advice and support that the authority thinks appropriate to those persons in relation to its consideration of the decision and steps. The persons are— the headteachers of such schools managed by the authority as the authority thinks appropriate, such pupils as the authority thinks appropriate, the parents of such pupils as the authority thinks appropriate, the representatives of any trade union which appears to the authority to be representative of the teaching staff at such schools managed by the authority as the authority thinks appropriate, such voluntary organisations as the authority thinks appropriate, any other persons the authority thinks appropriate. In pursuance of the duty imposed on them by section 3(1), the Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a statement setting out strategic priorities and objectives in relation to school education (the “National Improvement Framework”). The Scottish Ministers must review each year the National Improvement Framework. In carrying out a review under subsection (2), the Scottish Ministers must— give the persons mentioned in subsection (4) an opportunity to express views on the National Improvement Framework, and have regard to any such views. education authorities, persons appearing to the Scottish Ministers to be representative of teachers employed by education authorities for the provision of school education, such pupils who are being provided with school education as the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, such parents of pupils who are being provided with school education as the Scottish Ministers think appropriate. The Scottish Ministers must specify, in such manner as they may determine, the way in which they have complied with the duties imposed by subsection (3). If the Scottish Ministers wish to modify the National Improvement Framework following a review under subsection (2), they must prepare and publish a new National Improvement Framework which takes account of the modifications. In subsection (1), “ school education ” means school education directed as is described in section 2. Subsection (2) applies where an education authority is carrying out the duty imposed on it by section 3(2) to endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education which is provided in the schools managed by it. The education authority must carry out the duty with a view to achieving the strategic priorities set out in the National Improvement Framework. Before the beginning of the planning period each year, the Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a plan setting out— the steps that they propose to take during the planning period with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), and the educational benefits for those pupils that they consider will result from taking those steps. In subsection (1), “ planning period ” means the period of 12 months beginning with such day as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations. Regulations under subsection (2) are subject to the negative procedure. Before the beginning of the planning period each year, each education authority must prepare and publish a plan (an “annual plan”) setting out— the steps that the authority proposes to take during the planning period with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), the steps that the authority proposes to take during the planning period to comply with the duties imposed on it by section 3B(3), the steps that the authority proposes to take during the planning period in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and any educational benefits for pupils that the authority considers will result from taking those steps. As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing an annual plan, each education authority must give a copy of the plan to the Scottish Ministers. If a new National Improvement Framework is published by virtue of section 3C(6), each education authority must— review the authority's annual plan, make any revisions that are necessary in view of the new National Improvement Framework, and if the authority makes any revisions under paragraph (b), publish a revised annual plan and give a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers. Regulations under subsection (4) are subject to the negative procedure. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the period to which a plan published under section 3E(1) relates, the Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a report (an “annual report”) setting out for that period— the steps they have taken with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), any steps they have taken in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and any educational benefits for pupils that they consider result from taking those steps. In preparing an annual report, the Scottish Ministers must take account of information deriving from benchmarking with other countries in so far as they consider it relevant to the matters that are to be included in the report. As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing an annual report the Scottish Ministers must lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the period to which a plan published under section 3F(1) relates, each education authority must prepare and publish a report setting out for that period— the steps the authority has taken with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), the steps the authority has taken to comply with the duties imposed on it by section 3B(3), any steps the authority has taken in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and any educational benefits for pupils that the authority considers result from taking those steps. A report under subsection (1) may also include information on steps taken, with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), by a person other than the education authority which were included in the children's services plan for the authority's area. In subsection (2), “ children's services plan ” has the meaning given by section 8(2) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing a report, an education authority must give a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers. Each education authority must prepare and publish each year a statement (an “annual statement”) setting out for the relevant period the ways in which the authority will, in providing school education, encourage equal opportunities and in particular the observance of the equal opportunity requirements. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each relevant period, each education authority must prepare and publish a report setting out any activities carried out by it in pursuance of its annual statement. In this section— “ equal opportunities ” and “ equal opportunity requirements ” have the same meanings as in the exceptions to Section L2 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998, and “ relevant period ”, in relation to an annual statement, means the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the day on which the annual statement is published. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For the purpose of securing improvement in the quality of education which a school managed by them provides, an education authority shall, subject to subsection (6) below, ensure that there is prepared for the school, by such date in 2001 as the Scottish Ministers may, after consulting the education authorities, determine (one date being so determined for all the authorities) and thereafter by that date annually, after consultation with the persons mentioned in subsection (2) below and after the pupils in attendance at the school have been given an opportunity to make their views known— an improvement plan which takes account of the authority's plan (or revised plan) under section 3F, report under section 3H and strategy for parental involvement published by that date in the year in question , sets objectives for the school (including objectives as to the involvement of a pupil's parents in the education provided to the pupil and to the school's pupils generally) and contains a statement of the education authority's ambitions for the school; and a summary of the improvement plan. any Parent Council or Combined Parent Council established for the school; the teachers employed in the school; such persons so employed or working in the school on an unpaid basis as are not teachers; and such local bodies as appear to the authority to be representative of— such teachers; such persons; or parents of pupils in attendance at the school. The improvement plan shall include an account of the ways in which, and extent to which, the headteacher of the school will— consult the pupils in attendance at the school; and seek to involve them, when decisions require to be made concerning the everyday running of the school. The education authority shall ensure that there is prepared, without unreasonable delay after the expiry of the period of twelve months immediately following the preparation, in any year, of the improvement plan— a report as to what was done, during those twelve months, in implementation of the plan; and a summary of that report. The education authority shall ensure that the parents of the pupils in attendance at the school have access without cost to the improvement plan and the report upon request and receive copies of the summaries prepared by virtue of subsections (1)(b) and (4)(b) above; and any other person shall be entitled to have access to those summaries on request. The improvement plan prepared in any year after the first year in which such a plan is prepared for the school may be in the same terms as, or be a revised version of, that prepared in a preceding year or may be prepared anew; but the education authority shall from time to time review the implementation of the plan and if there is in any year a change of circumstances relevant to the plan and of such significance that they conclude that the plan should be revised or prepared anew then they shall ensure that the improvement plan next prepared is prepared accordingly. An education authority shall from time to time, after consulting such bodies as appear to the authority to be representative of teachers and parents within their area and giving such persons within that area as appear to the authority to have an interest in the matter an opportunity to make their views known, define and publish, as respects quality of education provided, measures and standards of performance for the schools managed by them; and different measures and standards may be so defined for different categories of such schools. In defining measures and standards of performance for the purposes of subsection (1), an education authority must take into account— the National Improvement Framework, and the plan (or revised plan) published by the authority under section 3F. An education authority shall, as respects each school managed by them, from time to time review the quality of education which the school provides; and if, having regard to the measures and standards of performance for the time being defined by them under subsection (1) above and relevant to the school, they conclude in any such review that the school is not performing satisfactorily they shall take such steps as appear to them to be requisite to remedy the matter. Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1) and (2) above, in those subsections “ quality of education ” includes the extent to which a pupil's parents are involved in the education provided to the pupil. An education authority shall have a scheme for delegating to the headteacher of a school— managed by them; and of a category of school which is stated in the scheme to be covered by the scheme, management of that share of the authority’s budget for a financial year which is available for allocation to individual schools and is appropriated for the school; or management of part of that share. The scheme— shall delegate to the headteacher the preparation of the school improvement plan; and may also so delegate such other management functions in relation to the school as the authority think fit. The scheme shall require that the headteacher exercise the delegated functions in a manner consistent with the education authority’s duties under section 3(2) of this Act. The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to education authorities in relation to the functions of those authorities under sections 3 to 8 of this Act; and education authorities shall, in discharging those functions, have regard to any such guidance. Before issuing any guidance in relation to the duties of education authorities under section 3B or 3D, the Scottish Ministers must consult the following persons about the proposed guidance–– each education authority, the parents of any pupils that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, any voluntary organisations that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, any other persons that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate. The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance as to the circumstances in which parents may choose to educate their children at home; and education authorities shall have regard to any such guidance. Where an education authority, in carrying out their duty to provide school education to a child of school age, provide that education in a school, they shall unless one of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3) below arises in relation to the child provide it in a school other than a special school. If a child is under school age, then unless one of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3) below arises in relation to the child, an education authority shall, where they— provide school education in a school to the child, provide it in; or under section 35 of this Act, enter into arrangements for the provision of school education in a school to the child, ensure that the arrangements are such that the education is provided in, a school other than a special school. The circumstances are, that to provide education for the child in a school other than a special school— would not be suited to the ability or aptitude of the child; would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for the children with whom the child would be educated; or would result in unreasonable public expenditure being incurred which would not ordinarily be incurred, and it shall be presumed that those circumstances arise only exceptionally. If one of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3) above arises, the authority may provide education for the child in question in a school other than a special school; but they shall not do so without taking into account the views of the child and of the child’s parents in that regard. Corporal punishment given by, or on the authority of, a member of staff to a pupil— for whom school education is provided by an education authority (whether or not at a school); for whom school education is provided, at a school other than a nursery school, by a person other than an education authority; or for whom school education is provided— by a person to whom any payment is made under section 23 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 (c.43) (which provides for grants for the education of children under school age); or at a nursery school, or other establishment, by a person other than an education authority, in pursuance of arrangements entered into under section 35 of this Act, cannot be justified in any proceedings on the ground that it was so given in pursuance of a right exercisable by virtue of having a position as a member of staff. Subsection (1) above applies to corporal punishment given at any time and whether or not given at the place where education is provided. Subject to subsection (4) below, references in this section to giving corporal punishment are references to doing anything for the purposes of punishing the pupil concerned (whether or not there are other reasons for doing it) which, apart from any justification, would constitute physical assault upon that pupil. Corporal punishment shall not be taken to be given to a pupil by virtue of anything done for reasons which include averting— an immediate danger of personal injury to; or an immediate danger to the property of, any person (including the pupil concerned). In subsection (1) above, “member of staff”, in relation to the pupil concerned, means— any person who works as a teacher at the school or other place at which education is provided for the pupil; or any other person who (whether in connection with the provision of education for the pupil or otherwise)— works at that school or place; or otherwise provides services there (whether or not for payment), and has lawful control or charge of the pupil. Section 48A of the 1980 Act (which makes provision with regard to corporal punishment in schools etc.) is repealed. The Scottish Ministers may by order provide that, on such date as may be specified in the order, a self-governing school so specified shall cease to be under the management of its board of management and that it shall, in consequence, cease to be a school which is a self-governing school; and the board shall, on that date, cease to exist. On and after that date, the education authority in whose area the school is situated shall manage the school. On that date— all— land and other property (including corporeal and incorporeal moveable property); and rights and obligations, which immediately before that date were vested in that board shall transfer to and vest in that authority; and all persons in the employment of that board shall transfer to the employment of that authority. The vesting of property, rights and obligations under this section shall have effect notwithstanding any rule of law, any obligation or any provision made in or under any enactment (other than this Act or an enactment made under this Act). Where an order has been made under section 17 of this Act as respects a school the Scottish Ministers may, after consultation with the education authority which is to manage the school, by order under this section make incidental, supplementary, transitional or ancillary provision as respects the change in status of the school. Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, an order under this section may— stipulate a timetable for any steps that may be specified in the order as necessary or expedient in relation to that change in status; provide for the payment of the expenses attributable to that change in status; confer such additional powers and impose such additional duties on the board of management of the school as appear to the Scottish Ministers to be appropriate in relation to that change in status; provide for the ingathering of any land or moveable property owned by— the board; or trustees for the purposes of the school; or require the board to comply with any directions given by the Scottish Ministers in relation to that change in status. Where land or moveable property purchased, or as the case may be refurbished, for the school out of (or partly out of) funds provided by way of a capital grant— is transferred to the education authority by virtue of section 17 of this Act; and subsequently is sold by that authority to a third party, the Scottish Ministers may, after consultation with the education authority, require that authority to pay them the amount of the funds so provided (or if the amount received by the authority in respect of the sale was less than the amount of those funds, to pay them the amount so received). Without prejudice to subsection (2)(b) above, the Scottish Ministers may make grants to the board of management for the purpose of enabling the board to defray such expenses incurred by the board as are attributable to that change in status. The Scottish Ministers may make the payment of a grant in pursuance of subsection (4) above subject to such conditions and requirements (including a requirement that the whole or any part of a grant be repaid) as they think fit. This subsection and subsections (2) to (4) below apply to any person who, immediately before the date specified in an order under section 17 of this Act as respects a self-governing school, is employed by the board of management of the school. The contract of employment between the person and the board shall have effect from that date as if originally made between the person and the education authority which is to manage the school. Without prejudice to subsection (2) above— all the board’s rights, powers, duties and liabilities under or in connection with the contract shall by virtue of this paragraph transfer to the authority on that date; and anything done before that date by or in relation to the board in respect of that contract or of the employee shall be deemed as from that date to have been done by or in relation to the authority. Subsections (2) and (3) above are without prejudice to any right of the person to terminate the contract of employment if the terms and conditions of employment are changed substantially to the detriment of the person; but such change shall not be taken to have occurred by reason only of the fact that the employer is changed by virtue of section 17(3)(b) of this Act. Where a person— has, prior to the date so specified, entered into a contract of employment with the board of management of the school and that contract is to come into effect on or after that date; and would, if the contract had come into effect before that date, have been a person to whom subsections (1) to (4) above apply, the person shall be treated as one to whom those subsections do apply. Where the Scottish Ministers have made an order under section 17 of this Act as respects a school, the board of management of the school shall— on or before the date specified in the order, provide the education authority which is to manage the school with all the information held by the board in respect of the school including, without prejudice to that generality, information in respect of— the administration and finances of the school; the fabric of the school; the staff transferred to the employment of the authority by virtue of section 17(3)(b) of this Act; and the pupils in attendance at the school; and provide the Scottish Ministers, without undue delay, with such information and documents as they may require from the board for the purposes of their determining what supplementary provision to make by order under section 18 of this Act. Where, immediately before the date specified in an order under section 17 of this Act in relation to a school, an educational endowment (within the meaning of Part VI of the 1980 Act) is, solely for the purposes of the school, to any extent vested in the board of management, the endowment shall, on that date and to that extent, transfer to and vest for the same purposes in the education authority which are to manage the school. Where, in the case of any school, proposals for the acquisition of self-governing status have been published under section 16 of the Self-Governing Schools etc. (Scotland) Act 1989 (c.30) by the School Board and approved by the Secretary of State, or as the case may be the Scottish Ministers, but as at the coming into force of this section responsibility for the conduct of the school has not transferred to a board of management, the school’s transition to self-governing status shall be treated as never having commenced. The board of management of a self-governing school shall obtain the consent of the Scottish Ministers to any transfer of moveable property owned by the board which is intended to take place on or after the date on which this section comes into force; and any purported transfer of such property on or after that date is void if such consent has not first been obtained. The Scottish Ministers shall give consent under subsection (1) above only after they have consulted in the matter the education authority which are to manage the school. In section 98 of the 1980 Act— ... and subsection (2A) (which provides that at any time within an independent school’s first month a person will not be guilty of the offence of conducting it as an independent school while it is not registered, or is not provisionally registered, if in that month an application for registration is duly made) is repealed. In section 99 of the 1980 Act (which sets out grounds on which a complaint may be served upon the proprietor of an independent school), after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted— that the welfare of a pupil attending the school is not adequately safeguarded and promoted there; Section 1 of the 1980 Act (which imposes a duty on education authorities to secure the provision of education) shall be amended in accordance with this section. In subsection (1), for the word “(2)” there shall be substituted “ (1A) ”. After subsection (1) there shall be inserted— The duty imposed on education authorities by subsection (1) above shall, in relation to children who are under school age, be exercisable only as respects children of such description or descriptions as may be prescribed by order. Where an order is made under subsection (1A) above, the amount of school education with which children of a description prescribed in that order are to be provided shall also be prescribed in the order. An education authority shall have power in relation to pre-school children to secure for their area the provision of such school education, other than that which they are required by subsection (1) above to secure, as they think fit. Subsection (2) is repealed. After subsection (4) there shall be inserted— The power to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament. In this section “pre-school children” means— children who are under school age and have not commenced attendance at a primary school (other than a nursery class in such a school); and children who have attained school age but have not commenced attendance at such a school. School education provided by virtue of subsections (1) and (1A) of section 1 of the 1980 Act shall be provided without payment of fees. An education authority may charge fees for school education provided by virtue of subsection (1C) of that section. For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above, the school education may be provided— in a nursery school; in a nursery class in a school; or in pursuance of arrangements entered into under section 35 of this Act, in some other establishment. In section 3 of the 1980 Act (which relates to the charging of fees, in certain cases, for the provision of school education etc.), after subsection (6) there shall be added— This section does not apply as respects the provision of school education by virtue of subsections (1) and (1A), or as the case may be subsection (1C), of section 1 of this Act. The Scottish Ministers may from time to time give guidance to education authorities as respects the discharge by authorities of— their functions under the 1980 Act and Part 6 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 in relation to the provision of school education for pre-school children; in so far as relating to the functions mentioned in paragraph (a) above, any other functions of education authorities under those Acts ; and the power conferred by section 33(2) of this Act; and education authorities shall, in discharging those functions and exercising that power, have regard to any such guidance. An education authority may, for the purposes of— fulfilling the duty imposed on them by subsections (1) and (1A) of section 1 of the 1980 Act; or exercising the power conferred on them by subsection (1C) of that section, enter into arrangements with any person for the provision by that person of school education for children who are under school age or, as the case may be, for pre-school children. In section 66 of the 1980 Act (which makes provision for the inspection of educational establishments), for subsection (1A) there shall be substituted— Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the Scottish Ministers shall have power to cause inspection to be made at any establishment in which school education is provided in pursuance of arrangements entered into under section 35 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 (asp 6); and such inspections shall be made by Her Majesty’s Inspectors or any person appointed by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section (or Her Majesty’s Inspectors and any such person). Where, by virtue of subsections (1) and (1A), or as the case may be subsection (1C), of section 1 of the 1980 Act, children are attending— a nursery school; a nursery class in a school; or any establishment which, though not a school, provides school education in pursuance of arrangements made under section 35 of this Act, an education authority may make such arrangements in relation to those children as the authority think fit for the provision of any of the facilities mentioned in subsection (2) below; and any such arrangements may, in respect of any child, make provision for more than one of those facilities. The facilities are— the conveyance of children without charge for the whole or part of the journey between their homes and the schools or other establishments which they are attending; the making available (on such terms as may be agreed) of bicycles or other suitable means of transport to parents of children for the purpose of conveying the children between their homes and the schools or other establishments which they are attending, or, instead, the payment of money allowances; the payment of the whole or any part, as the authority think fit, of the reasonable travelling expenses of children. In section 51 of the 1980 Act (which relates to the provision of transport and other facilities by education authorities), after subsection (3) there shall be added— In this section “school” does not include a nursery school or a nursery class in a school. Where a parent of a child who is under school age requests the education authority for the area in which the parent is ordinarily resident to admit the child to a class, other than a nursery class, in a primary school under the management of that authority, the authority shall, if the school education normally provided in such a class is suited to the ability and aptitude of the child, admit the child to such a class. Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any other power or duty of the education authority. Part II of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 (c.43) (which makes provision as respects the funding of education for children who are under school age etc.) is repealed. For section 14 of the 1980 Act there shall be substituted— If an education authority are satisfied that, by reason of— any extraordinary circumstances (not being circumstances mentioned in paragraph (b), or subsection (2) or (3), below)— a pupil is unable; or it would be unreasonable to expect a pupil, to attend a suitable educational establishment for the purpose of receiving education, they may; a pupil’s prolonged ill-health— the pupil is unable; or it would be unreasonable to expect the pupil, to attend such an establishment for that purpose, they shall, without undue delay after those circumstances become apparent to them, make special arrangements for the pupil to receive education elsewhere than at an educational establishment. If an education authority have, under section 34(1) of this Act, granted a pupil exemption from the obligation to attend school, the exemption being to enable the pupil to give assistance at home in circumstances arising out of the illness or infirmity of a member of the pupil’s family, they shall in so far as is practicable and without undue delay make such special arrangements as are mentioned in subsection (1) above. If a pupil withdraws, excluded by the education authority (or with the consent of the authority in circumstances where he would have been so excluded but for his withdrawal), from a public school in their area they shall, without undue delay— provide school education for him in a school managed by them; make arrangements for him to receive such education in any other school the managers of which are willing to receive him; or make such special arrangements as are mentioned in subsection (1) above. A pupil with legal capacity in terms of subsections (4A) and (4B) of section 2 of the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 (c.50) shall have the same rights of appeal under section 28H of the 1980 Act as— the parent of the pupil; or the pupil, where the pupil is a young person. The Scottish Ministers may make grants to persons who, to any extent, undertake, or engage in, activities relating to school education (or propose to undertake or engage in such activities). The Scottish Ministers may make the payment of a grant in pursuance of subsection (1) above subject to such conditions and requirements (including a requirement that the whole or any part of a grant be repaid) as they think fit. The 1980 Act shall be amended in accordance with this section. In section 28A(1) (which relates to the duty to comply with a placing request), after “school”, where it secondly occurs, there shall be inserted “ (other than a nursery school or a nursery class in a school) ”. In section 28C (which relates to the reference to an appeal committee of a refusal of a placing request), subsection (2) is repealed. Section 28A of the 1980 Act shall be further amended in accordance with this section. In subsection (1), after the words “parent of a child” there shall be inserted “ of school age ”. The education authorities shall— in carrying out the duty imposed on them by subsection (1) above; and in deciding when that duty does not apply, have regard to such guidance as the Scottish Ministers may give in that respect. In subsection (3)(a) (which sets out certain exceptions to the duty of an education authority to accede to a parent’s request that a child be placed in a specified school under their management), after sub-paragraph (v) there shall be added— assuming that pupil numbers remain constant, make it necessary, at the commencement of a future stage of the child’s primary education, for the authority to elect either to create an additional class (or an additional composite class) in the specified school or to take an additional teacher into employment at that school; or though neither of the tests set out in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above is satisfied, have the consequence that the capacity of the school would be exceeded in terms of pupil numbers; In subsection (3A), the words “Subject to subsection (3B) below,” are repealed. Subsections (3B) and (3E) (which restrict an education authority’s entitlement, where they would be prevented from retaining reserved places at a specified school, to refuse a placing request) are repealed. The committee established under section 91 of the 1980 Act (committee to consider pay and conditions of teaching staff employed in providing school education) is abolished; and accordingly sections 91 to 97D of, and Schedule 1B to, that Act are repealed. Where— a settlement formulated under section 91(1) of that Act; a determination which, under subsection (8) of section 97B of that Act, has the same effect as a settlement so formulated; or an award which, under subsection (9) of the said section 97B, has that effect, is still in force on the date on which this section comes into force, the order, settlement, determination or award shall, notwithstanding subsection (1) above, remain in force until superseded. The Scottish Ministers may, as respects education about sexual matters which is provided by education authorities in the schools managed by them, issue guidance to those authorities as to the manner in which such education should be conducted; and education authorities shall, in discharging their functions as respects the provision of such education in those schools, have regard to such guidance. After section 131 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted— Nothing in this Act shall prejudice any capacity of a child enjoyed by virtue of section 2(4) of the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 (c.50) (capacity of child with sufficient understanding to consent to surgical, medical or dental procedure or treatment); and without prejudice to that generality, where under or by virtue of this Act a child is required to submit, or to be submitted, to any medical or dental examination, inspection or treatment but the child has the capacity mentioned in the said section 2(4), the examination, inspection or treatment shall only be carried out if the child consents. In subsection (1) above, without prejudice to the generality of the expression in question, “medical examination” includes an examination under section 58 of this Act and “medical treatment” includes cleansing under that section. In this Act— “the 1980 Act” means the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.44); “ enforcement direction ” means a direction under section 10C(1) of this Act; “land” includes buildings and other structures, rights registered in the Land Register of Scotland , title conditions, within the meaning given by section 122(1) of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 9) and any other rights in, or liabilities relating to, land; “moveable property” includes moveables heritable by accession; “ National Improvement Framework ” has the meaning given by subsection (1) of section 3C; and includes (except in that subsection) a new National Improvement Framework published under subsection (6) of that section; “ preliminary notice ” means a notice under section 10B(1) of this Act; “pre-school children” means— children who have attained school age but have not commenced attendance at such a school; and “school improvement plan” means an improvement plan prepared under section 6(1)(a) of this Act for a school. Any expression used in this Act and in the 1980 Act has the same meaning in this Act as in that Act. The Scottish Ministers may, by statutory instrument, make regulations prescribing standards and requirements to which an education authority shall conform in discharging the authority’s functions under this Act. Regulations under this section may make different provision as to different cases or circumstances. A statutory instrument made in the exercise of the powers conferred by this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament. The enactments specified in schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments and repeals specified in that schedule, being amendments and repeals which are either minor or are consequential upon the provisions of this Act. There are also repealed, to the extent specified in the second column of schedule 3 to this Act, the enactments mentioned in that schedule. This Act may be cited as the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000. There shall come into force on Royal Assent— this section; section 23 of this Act; and in so far as relating to sections 13 to 22 and 24 of, and Schedules 3 to 5 to, the Self-Governing Schools etc. (Scotland) Act 1989 (c.39), section 60(2) of, and schedule 3 to, this Act; and the other provisions of this Act shall come into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument appoint. Different days may be so appointed for different provisions and for different purposes. An order under subsection (2) above may contain such transitional provisions and savings as the Scottish Ministers think fit. The 1980 Act shall be amended in accordance with this paragraph. In section 1(5)(a)(i) (nursery schools and nursery classes included in definition of “school education” for purposes of Act), for “hereinafter” substitute “ such schools and classes being ”. In section 9 (conscience clause) for the words “, every grant-aided school and every self-governing school” substitute “ and every grant-aided school ”. In section 10 (safeguards for religious beliefs)— the words “, or at any self-governing school” are repealed; for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “ of the school or other educational establishment, the education authority ”; for the words “, other educational establishment or self-governing school” substitute “ or other educational establishment ”; and the words “or, as the case may be, by the board of management” are repealed. In section 30 (duty of parents to provide education for their children), the existing provisions become subsection (1); and after that subsection add— Section 1 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 (asp 6) (right of child to be provided with school education by, or by virtue of arrangements made by, an education authority) is without prejudice to the choice afforded a parent by subsection (1) above. In section 57 (medical and dental examination and inspection)— for subsection (2) substitute— For the purpose of securing the proper medical or dental inspection of the pupils and young persons for whom there is a duty under the said section 39 to provide such inspection, an education authority may require the parent of any pupil in attendance at any school under their management to submit the pupil for medical or dental inspection in accordance with arrangements made by the appropriate Health Board in agreement with the authority; and the authority may require any young person in attendance at any educational establishment under their management to submit for such medical or dental inspection. in subsection (3), for the word “person” substitute “ parent ”. In section 66(3) (inspection of educational establishments), after “person” insert “ wilfully ”. In section 70 (powers of Scottish Ministers to enforce duties of education authorities etc.), the existing provisions become subsection (1); and after that subsection add— Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, in that subsection the expression “enactment” includes— an Act of the Scottish Parliament but only in so far as it is an Act which relates to school education;

and an order, regulation, rule or other instrument which has effect by virtue of an Act of the Scottish Parliament but only in so far as it is an instrument which so relates. In section 135(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “independent school”, for the words “, a grant-aided school or a self-governing school” substitute “ or a grant-aided school ”. S. 44(1)-(3)(5)-(7) wholly in force and s. 44(4) in force for specified purposes at 13.10.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3(1), Sch. Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4) S. 60(2) in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent (see s. 61(2)(c)); s. 60(1) in force for specified purposes at 23.8.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/298, art. 3, Sch. (with transitional provisions in art. 4); s. 60 in force for specified purposes at 13.10.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3(1), Sch. Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4); s. 60 in force for specified purposes at 1.11.2001 by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3(2), Sch. Pt. II (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4) S. 61(2) power partly exercised: 28.7.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2000/258, art. 2 S. 61(2) power partly exercised: 23.8.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2000/298, art. 3, Sch. (with transitional provisons in art. 4) S. 61(2) power partly exercised: different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4) S. 61(2) power partly exercised: 23.3.2001 appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2001/102, art. 2 S. 61(2) power partly exercised: different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2002/72, art. 2(1)(2) Sch. 2 para. 3 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 61(2); Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(2)(5)-(8) in force at 13.10.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3(1), Sch. Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4) Sch. 3 in force at 13.10.2000 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2000/361, art. 3(1), Sch. Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4) S. 15 in force at 1.8.2003 by S.S.I. 2003/84, art. 2 Words in s. 58(1) substituted (28.11.2004) by Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 9), ss. 122(1), 129(2), Sch. 14 para. 12 (with ss. 119, 121) (see S.S.I. 2003/456, art. 2) S. 44 in force at 31.12.2004 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2004/528, art. 2(a) S. 60 in force at 31.12.2004 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2004/528, art. 2(b) Words in s. 58(1) inserted (31.1.2005) by School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 12), s. 9(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(a); S.S.I. 2005/10, art. 3(c) Words in s. 58(1) inserted (31.1.2005) by School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 12), s. 9(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(b); S.S.I. 2005/10, art. 3(c) S. 43(4) repealed (14.11.2005) by Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 4), s. 35(1), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.S.I. 2005/564, art. 2 S. 44(7) repealed (14.11.2005) by Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 4), s. 35(1), Sch. 3 para. 11; S.S.I. 2005/564, art. 2 S. 24(1)(a) repealed (31.12.2005) by School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 12), s. 9(2), Sch. 2; S.S.I. 2005/10, art. 3(d) (with art. 3(2)) S. 24(2) repealed (31.12.2005) by School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 12), s. 9(2), Sch. 2; S.S.I. 2005/10, art. 3(d) (with art. 3(2)) Ss. 26-31 repealed (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), s. 24(2), Sch.; S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 Sch. 1 repealed (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), s. 24(2), Sch.; S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 Words in s. 6(1)(a) substituted (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), ss. 3(b), 24(2); S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 Words in s. 6(2)(a) substituted (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), ss. 18(5), 24(2); S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 S. 7(3) added (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), ss. 4, 24(2); S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 Words in s. 58(1) repealed (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), s. 24(2), Sch.; S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 Sch. 2 para. 4 repealed (1.8.2007) by Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 (asp 8), s. 24(2), Sch.; S.S.I. 2007/31, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 2A and cross-heading inserted (3.1.2008) by Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 15), ss. 1, 11(2); S.S.I. 2007/372, art. 2(b) Sch. 2 para. 2 repealed (1.10.2010) by The Equality Act 2010 (Consequential Amendments, Saving and Supplementary Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2279), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2) Ss. 45-54 repealed (2.4.2012) by The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/215), art. 2, Sch. 7 Words in Sch. 3 repealed (2.4.2012) by The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/215), art. 2, Sch. 7 Words in s. 58(1) repealed (2.4.2012) by The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/215), art. 2, Sch. 7 Sch. 2 para. 1 repealed (2.4.2012) by The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/215), art. 2, Sch. 7 Words in s. 34(a) inserted (28.6.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), Sch. 5 para. 7(a); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(1) Words in s. 34(b) substituted (28.6.2014) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), s. 102(3), Sch. 5 para. 7(b); S.S.I. 2014/131, art. 2(1) Words in s. 58(1) substituted (8.12.2014) by Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5), ss. 122, 123, Sch. 5 para. 40 (with s. 121, Sch. 4 paras. 13, 16); S.S.I. 2014/127, art. 2 S. 13(2) inserted (1.8.2016) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 4(b), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch. S. 4 repealed (1.8.2016) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 2(3), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch. Words in s. 58(1) inserted (1.8.2016) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 2(4)(b), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch. S. 13(1): s. 13 renumbered as s. 13(1) (1.8.2016) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 4(a), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch. Ss. 3A, 3B inserted (1.8.2016 for the insertion of s. 3A, 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 1, 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Ss. 3C, 3D inserted (1.8.2016 for the insertion of s. 3C, 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 2(2), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Words in s. 58(1) repealed (1.8.2016 for specified purposes, 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 2(4)(a), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Ss. 3E-3I inserted (1.8.2016 for specified purposes, 1.12.2016 for insertion of ss. 3E, 3G so far as not already in force, 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(2), 33(2); S.S.I. 2016/192, reg. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. S. 2A(4A)-(4C) inserted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 5, 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. S. 5 repealed (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 2(3), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. S. 7(1A) inserted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(5), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Word in s. 8(2)(a) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(6), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Word in s. 58(1) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(7)(a), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Words in s. 58(1) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(7)(b), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Word in s. 6 title substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(3), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Words in s. 6(1)(a) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(4)(a)(i), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Words in s. 6(1)(a) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(4)(a)(ii), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Word in s. 6(1)(b) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(4)(b), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Word in s. 6(3)-(6) substituted (1.8.2017) by Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 8), ss. 3(4)(b), 33(2); S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. Sch. 2 para. 3(3)(4)(9) in force at 31.12.2004 by S.S.I. 2004/528, art. 2(b) Sch. 3 in force at 31.12.2004 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2004/528, art. 2(b) Ss. 9-12 and cross-heading repealed (1.3.2026) by Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 11), s. 66(2), sch. 4 para. 22(2); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(4)(5), sch. Pt. 2 (with regs. 8, 9)