Education Act 1981 (repealed 1.11.1996)
For the purposes of this Act a child has "special educational needs " if he has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him.
Subject to subsection (4) below, a child has a " learning difficulty " if—
he has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of his age; or
he has a disability which either prevents or hinders him from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided in schools, within the area of the local authority concerned, for children of his age; or
he is under the age of five years and is, or would be if special educational provision were not made for him. likely to fall within paragraph (a) or (b) when over that age.
" Special educational provision " means—
in relation to a child who has attained the age of two years, educational provision which is additional to, or otherwise different from, the educational provision made generally for children of his age in schools maintained by the local education authority concerned; and
in relation to any child under that age, educational provision of any kind.
A child is not to be taken as having a learning difficulty solely because the language (or form of the language) in which he is, or will be, taught is different from a language (or form of a language) which has at any time been spoken in his home.
In section 8(2) of the principal Act (which requires local education authorities to have regard to certain matters in fulfilling their duty to secure provision of primary and secondary schools) for paragraph (c) there is substituted the following paragraph—
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his receiving the special educational provision that he requires;
the provision of efficient education for the children with whom he will be educated; and
the efficient use of resources.
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to use their best endeavours, in exercising their functions in relation to the school, to secure that if any registered pupil has special educational needs the special educational provision that is required for him is made;
to secure that, where the responsible person has been informed by the local education authority that a registered pupil has special educational needs, those needs are made known to all who are likely to teach him; and
to secure that the teachers in the school are aware of the importance of identifying, and providing for, those registered pupils who have special educational needs.
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in the case of a county or voluntary school, the head teacher or the appropriate governor (that is to say the chairman of the governors or, where the governors have designated another governor for the purposes of this paragraph, that other governor); and
in the case of a nursery school, the head teacher.
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It shall be the duty of every local education authority to exercise their powers under this Act with a view to securing that, of the children for whom they are responsible, those with special educational needs which call for the local education authority to determine the special educational provision that should be made for them are identified by the authority.
For the purposes of this Act a local education authority are responsible for a child if he is in their area and—
he is registered as a pupil at a school maintained by them or is registered as a pupil in pursuance of arrangements made by them by virtue of section 6 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 at a school which is not maintained by them or another local education authority: or
he has been brought to their attention as having, or as probably having, special educational needs and—
is registered as a pupil at a school but does not fall within paragraph (a) above ; or
is not registered as a pupil at a school and is not under the age of two years or over compulsory school age.
Where, in the case of a child for whom a local education authority are responsible, the authority are of the opinion— they shall make an assessment of his educational needs under this section.
that he has special educational needs which call for the authority to determine the special educational provision that should be made for him ; or
that he probably has such special educational needs;
Assessments under this section shall be made in accordance with the following provisions of this Act.
If a local education authority propose to make an assessment of the educational needs of a child under this section they shall, before doing so, serve notice on the child's parent informing him—
that they propose to make an assessment;
of the procedure to be followed in making it;
of the name of the officer of the authority from whom further information may be obtained ; and
of his right to make representations, and submit written evidence, to the authority within such period (which shall not be less than 29 days beginning with the date on which the notice is served) as may be specified in the notice.
When a local education authority have served a notice under subsection (3) above and the period specified in the notice in accordance with paragraph (d) has expired, the authority shall, if they consider it appropriate after taking into account any representations made and any evidence submitted to them in response to the notice, assess the educational needs of the child concerned.
Where a local education authority decide to make an assessment under this section they shall notify the child's parent in writing of their decision and of their reasons for making it.
If, after making an assessment of the educational needs of a child under this section, the local education authority decide that they are not required to determine the special educational provision that should be made for him the parent may appeal in writing to the Secretary of State.
In a case falling within subsection (6) above the local education authority shall notify the parent in writing of his right of appeal under that subsection.
On an appeal under subsection (6) above the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, direct the local education authority to reconsider their decision.
The provisions of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act have effect in relation to assessments under this section.
Where, at any time after serving a notice under subsection (3) above, a local education authority decide not to assess the educational needs of the child concerned they shall notify his parent in writing of their decision.
Where, in the case of a child in their area who is under the age of two years, a local education authority are of the opinion— they may, with the consent of the child's parent, make an assessment of his educational needs and shall do so at the request of that parent.
that he has special educational needs which call for the authority to determine the special educational provision that should be made for him; or
that he probably has such special educational needs;
An assessment under this section shall be made in such manner as the local education authority consider appropriate; and after making such an assessment they may make a statement of the child's special educational needs, and maintain that statement, in such manner as they consider appropriate.
Where an assessment has been made in respect of a child under section 5, the local education authority who are responsible for the child shall, if they are of the opinion that they should determine the special educational provision that should be made for him, make a statement of his special educational needs and maintain that statement in accordance with the following provisions of this Act.
In any case where a local education authority maintain a statement under this section in respect of a child, it shall be the duty of the authority to arrange that the special educational provision specified in the statement is made for him unless his parent has made suitable arrangements.
Before making such a statement a local education authority shall serve on the parent of the child concerned—
a copy of the proposed statement; and
a written explanation of the effect of subsections (4) to (7) below.
If the parent on whom a copy of a proposed statement has been served under subsection (3) (a) above disagrees with any part of the proposed statement he may, before the expiry of the appropriate period—
make representations (or further representations) to the authority about the content of the proposed statement;
require the authority to arrange a meeting between him and an officer of the authority at which the proposed statement can be discussed.
Where a parent, having attended a meeting arranged by a local education authority under subsection (4)(b) above, disagrees with any part of the assessment in question he may, before the expiry of the appropriate period, require the authority to arrange one or more meetings under subsection (6) below.
Where a local education authority receive a request duly made under subsection (5) above they shall arrange such meeting or meetings as they consider will enable the parent to discuss the relevant advice with the appropriate person or persons. In this subsection—
“ principal Act” means the Education Act 1944.
" appropriate person" means the person who gave the relevant advice or any other person who, in the opinion of the authority, is the appropriate person to discuss it with the parent.
In this section " appropriate period " means the period of 15 days beginning—
in the case of a request under subsection (4)(b) above, with the date on which the statement mentioned in subsection (3)(b) above was served on the parent;
in the case of a request under subsection (5) above, with the date fixed for the meeting arranged under subsection (4)(b) above ; and
in the case of representations, or further representations, under subsection (4)(a) above—
with the date mentioned in paragraph (a) above; or
if one or more meetings have been arranged under the preceding provision of this section, with the date fixed for the last of those meetings.
Where any such representations are made to a local education authority the authority may, after considering those representations— and shall notify the parent in writing of their decision.
make a statement in the form originally proposed;
make a statement in a modified form; or
determine not to make a statement;
On making a statement under this section a local education authority shall serve on the parent of the child concerned—
a copy of the statement;
notice in writing of his right under section 8(1) of this Act to appeal against the special educational provision specified in the statement; and
notice in writing of the name of the person to whom he may apply for information and advice about the child's special educational needs.
The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe the frequency with which assessments are to be repeated in respect of children for whom statements are maintained under this section.
The provisions of Part II of Schedule 1 to this Act have effect in relation to statements made under this section.
Every local education authority shall make arrangements for enabling the parent of a child for whom they maintain a statement under section 7 to appeal, following the first or any subsequent assessment of the child's educational needs under section 5, against the special educational provision specified in the statement.
Any appeal by virtue of this section shall be to an appeal committee constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 2 to the Education Act 1980.
Part II of that Schedule shall have effect in relation to the procedure on any such appeal but with the following modifications—
paragraph 7 (matters to be taken into account by appeal committee) shall have effect as if for paragraphs (a) and (b) there were substituted the words " any representations made by the appellant under section 7 of the Education Act 1981 ";
paragraph 9(b) (decision to be communicated to school governors) shall not apply; and
for any reference to section 7 of the 1980 Act there shall be substituted a reference to this section.
An appeal committee hearing an appeal by virtue of this section may—
confirm the special educational provision specified in the statement; or
remit the case to the local education authority for re consideration in the light of the committee's observations.
When an appeal committee remit a case to a local education authority the authority shall reconsider it in the light of the committee's observations and shall inform the appellant in writing of their decision.
In any case where— the appellant may appeal in writing to the Secretary of State.
an appeal committee confirm the decision of a local education authority as to the special educational provision to be made for a child; or
a local education authority inform an appellant of their decision in a case which has been remitted to them under subsection (4)(b) above;
On an appeal under subsection (6) above the Secretary of State may, after consulting die local education authority concerned—
confirm the special educational provision specified in the statement;
amend the statement so far as it specifies the special educational provision and make such other consequential amendments to the statement as he considers appropriate; or
direct the local education authority to cease to maintain the statement.
If the parent of a child for whom a local education authority are responsible but for whom no statement is maintained by the authority under section 7 asks the authority to arrange for an assessment to be made of the child's educational needs the authority shall comply with the request unless it is in their opinion unreasonable.
If the parent of a child for whom a local education authority maintain a statement under section 7 asks the authority to arrange for an assessment of his educational needs under section 5 and such an assessment has not been made within the period of 6 months ending with the date on which the request is made, the authority shall comply with the request unless they are satisfied that an assessment would be inappropriate.
If an Area or District Health Authority, in the course : of exercising any of its functions in relation to a child who is under the age of five years, forms the opinion that he has, or; probably has, special educational needs, the Authority shall—
inform his parent of its opinion and of its duty under this section; and
after giving the parent an opportunity to discuss that opinion with an officer of the Authority, bring it to the attention of the appropriate local education authority.
If, in a case felling within subsection (1) above, the Authority are of the opinion that a particular voluntary organisation is likely to be able to give the parent advice or assistance in connection with any special educational needs that the child may have, they shall inform the parent accordingly.
In section 9 of the principal Act (county schools, voluntary schools, nursery schools and special schools) for subsection (5) there is substituted the following subsection—.
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the school is for the time being approved by the Secretary of State as suitable for the admission of children for whom statements are maintained under section 7; or
the Secretary of State consents to the child being educated there.
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The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to—
the requirements which are to be complied with by any school as a condition of approval of the school as a special school under section 9(5) of the principal Act;
the requirements which are to be complied with by a special school while such an approval is in force with respect to it; and
the withdrawal of approval from any school—
at the request of the proprietor ; or
on the ground that there has been a failure to comply with any prescribed requirement.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under that subsection may impose requirements which call for arrangements to be approved by the Secretary of State.
Notwithstanding that the provisions of the principal Act requiring local education authorities to have regard to the need for securing that primary and secondary education are provided in separate schools do not apply with respect to special schools, the regulations may impose requirements as to the organisation of any special school as a primary school or as a secondary school.
Provision shall be made in the regulations to secure that, so far as practicable, every pupil attending a special school will attend religious worship and religious instruction, or will be withdrawn from attendance at such worship or instruction in accordance with the wishes of his parent.
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to—
the requirements to be complied with by any school as a condition of approval of the school for the purposes of section l1(3)(a) of this Act;
the requirements which are to be complied with by any school while such an approval is in force with respect to it; and
the withdrawal of approval from any school—
at the request of the proprietor ; or
on the ground that there has been a failure to comply with any prescribed requirement.
Any approval under section 11(3)(a) may be given subject to such conditions (in addition to those prescribed) as the Secretary of State sees fit to impose.
Any consent under section 11(3)(b) may be given subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State sees fit to impose.
In any case where there is a failure to comply with a condition imposed under subsection (2) or (3) above, the Secretary of State may withdraw his approval or, as the case may be, consent.
A local education authority shall not cease to maintain a special school except in accordance with proposals approved by the Secretary of State under this section.
Where a local education authority intend to cease to maintain a special school they shall serve written notice of their proposals on—
the Secretary of State ;
the parent of every child who is, at the time when notice is served on the Secretary of State, a registered pupil of the school;
any other local education authority who have arranged for special educational provision to be made at the school for a child in their area; and
any such other persons as the authority consider appropriate.
The notice shall specify—
the time at which the local education authority intend to implement the proposals ; and
a period (which shall not be less than two months beginning with the date on which the notice is served) during which written objections to the proposals may be made to the local education authority.
Before the expiry of the period of one month beginning with the date on which the period for making objections, specified in the last notice to be served under subsection (2) above, expires, the local education authority shall send to the Secretary of State copies of all objections which have been duly made and not withdrawn in writing, together with their observations on those objections.
After considering the proposals and any objections and observations sent to him under subsection (4) above the Secretary of State may approve or reject the proposals.
Where the Secretary of State approves the proposals under this section he may direct that they are to be implemented at a time which is different from that specified in the notice served under subsection (2) above.
Service of any notice under subsection (2) above which is sent by post in accordance with section 113 of the principal Act shall be deemed to have been effected on the second day after the day on which it is posted.
This section applies in any case where—
a local education authority propose to serve a school attendance order on the parent of a child under section 37 of the principal Act; and
the authority maintain a statement for that child under section 7.
The order shall not be served until the expiry of the period of 15 days beginning with the date on which the authority serve on the parent written notice—
of their intention to serve the order;
stating that if, before the expiry of that period, he selects a school at which he desires the child to become a registered pupil, that school will, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, be named in the order.
If, before the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (2), the parent selects such a school, that school shall, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, be named in the order.
If the local education authority are of the opinion that— the authority may, after giving the parent notice of their intention to do so, apply to the Secretary of State for a direction determining what school is to be named in the order.
the school selected by the parent as the school to be named in the order is unsuitable to the child’s age, ability or aptitude or to his special educational needs; or
that the attendance of the child at the school so selected would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources;
Any direction under subsection (4) above may require the local education authority to make such amendments in the statement concerned as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in consequence of his determination.
Where the school to be named in the school attendance order in pursuance of a direction given by the Secretary of State under this section is a school maintained by a local education authority, it shall be the duty of the authority and of the governors of the school to admit the child to the school.
Where the school to be named in the school attendance order in pursuance of a direction given by the Secretary of State under this section is a grant-maintained school, it shall be the duty of the governing body of the school to admit the child to the school.
This section applies in any case where—
a local education authority have served a school attendance order on the parent of a child under section 37 of the principal Act; and
the authority maintain a statement for that child under section 7.
If at any time while the order is in force the parent applies to the local education authority requesting—
that another school be substituted for that named in the order; or
that the order be revoked on the ground that arrangements have been made for the child to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to his special educational needs otherwise than at school;
the authority shall amend or revoke the order in compliance with the request unless they are of the opinion that—
the school selected by the parent as the school to be named in the order is unsuitable to the child's age, ability or aptitude or to his special educational needs or that the proposed change of school is against the interests of the child ;
the attendance of the child at the school so selected would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources ; or
no satisfactory arrangements have been made for the education of the child otherwise than at school.
If a parent is aggrieved by a refusal of the authority to comply with a request made under subsection (2) above he may refer the question to the Secretary of State, who shall give such direction thereon as he thinks fit.
Any direction under subsection (3) above may require the local education authority to make such amendments in the statement concerned as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient in consequence of his determination.
Where, in pursuance of a direction given by the Secretary of State under this section, a school which is to be substituted for that named in the school attendance order is a school maintained by a local education authority, it shall be the duty of the authority and of the governors of the school to admit the child to the school.
In section 36 of the principal Act (duty of parents to secure the education of their children) after the word “ aptitude” there are inserted the words “ and to any special educational needs he may have. ”
Where any question arising under this Act is referred to the Secretary of State then, if in his opinion he would be assisted in determining that question by the advice of a person appointed by him to examine the child concerned, he may serve a notice on the parent of that child requiring the child's attendance for examination in accordance with the provisions of the notice.
Sub-paragraphs (2) and (4) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to this Act apply in relation to an examination under this section as they apply in relation to one under Schedule 1.
shall be made by statutory instrument;
shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;
may make different provision for different cases or circumstances;
may contain such incidental, supplemental or transitional provisions as the Secretary of State thinks fit; and
may make in relation to Wales provision different from that made in relation to England.
In this Act—
“ ordinary school” means a school which is not a special school;
“ child” includes any person who has not attained the age of 19 years and is registered as a pupil at a school;
This Act shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions or different purposes.
Any order under this section may make such transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions thereby brought into force, including such adaptations of those provisions, or of any other provisions of this Act then in force, as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose or in consequence of the operation of any provisions of this Act before the coming into force of any other provision.]
This Act may be cited as the Education Act 1981, and this Act and the Education Acts 1944 to 1980 may be cited as the Education Acts 1944 to 1981.
This Act shall be construed as one with the principal Act.
The transitional provisions made by Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect.
The enactments mentioned in Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect subject to the minor and consequential amendments specified in that Schedule; and the enactments mentioned in Schedule 4 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column.
This Act does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Sections 5 and 7.
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give details of the authority's assessment of the special educational needs of the child ; and
specify the special educational provision to be made for the purpose of meeting those needs.
Section 21.
Any approval given under section 9(5) of the principal Act (special schools) before the commencement of section 12 of this Act and in force immediately before that date shall have effect for the purposes of the principal Act and of regulations made under section 12 as if it had been given under section 9(5) as amended by this Act.
the special educational provision specified in the statement differs from the special educational treatment which the child was receiving immediately before the commencement of this Schedule (otherwise than to take account of a school attendance order); or
an assessment of the child's educational needs has been made under section 5 following the making of the statement.
Section 21.
In section 50(1) of the principal Act (provisions of board and lodging)—
after the word “ aptitude” there are insertted the words “ and to any special educational needs he may have ”;
for the words “ requiring special educational treatment” there are substituted the words “ having special educational needs ”; and
for the word “ treatment”, in the second place where it occurs, there is substituted the word “ provision ”.
In section 52(1) of the principal Act (recovery of cost of board and lodging) after the word “ aptitude” there are inserted the words “ or special educational needs ”.
In section 114 of the principal Act (interpretation) for the definition of “special educational treatment” there is substituted— “ “ special educational needs” and “ special educational provision” have the same meanings given to them by section 1 of the Education Act 1981; ”.
In section 5(1) of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1948 (provision of clothing) for the words from “receiving special” to the end there are substituted the words “ for whom special educational provision is made in pursuance of arrangements made by them ”.
Section 6 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 (payment of pupils’ fees at non-maintained schools) is amended as follows. In subsection (2)—
In section 23(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (local education authorities not to discriminate in exercising functions under Education Acts), as amended by section 33(1) of the Education Act 1980, for the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1980” there are substituted the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1981 ”.
In section 18(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 (local education authorities not to discriminate in exercising functions under Education Acts), as amended by section 33(1) of the Education Act 1980, for the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1980” there are substituted the words “ the Education Acts 1944 to 1981 ”.
In section 9(2) of the Education Act 1980 (application of that Act to special schools etc.) for the words “ in need of special educational treatment” there are substituted the words “ in respect of whom statements are maintained under section 7 of the Education Act 1981 (special educational needs) ”.
in subsection (4), after the word "aptitude" there are inserted the words "and any special educational needs he may have " ; and
in subsection (5), for the words from " who are " to the end there are substituted the words " in respect of whom the local education authority maintain a statement under section 7 of the Education Act 1981 (special educational needs) ".
at the end of subsection (2)(b) there are inserted the words " and to any special educational needs he may have " ; and
in subsection (3) for the words from " who are " to the end there are substituted the words " in respect of whom the local education authority maintain a statement under section 7 of the Education Act 1981 (special educational needs) ".
Section 21. Chapter Short title Extent of repeal 7 & 8 Geo. 6. c. 31. The Education Act 1944. Sections 33 and 34. In section 37, in subsection (2) the words from “ provided that” to the end, subsection (3), in subsection (4) the words from “ requesting that another” to “ order or”, the words “ amend or”, the words from “ that the proposed” to “ child or” and the words “ as the case may be”. Section 38. 1970 c. 44. The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Sections 25 to 27. 1976 c. 81. The Education Act 1976. Section 10. 1980 c. 20. The Education Act 1980. Section 10(6) and (7). Section 33(1).