Education Act 1997

Status:

Point in time view as at 01/09/2021.

Changes to legislation:

Education Act 1997, Part V is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 01 June 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

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Part VU.K. Supervision of curriculum for schools and external qualifications

Chapter IE+W+N.I. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Establishment of the AuthorityE+W+N.I.

F121 The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.E+W+N.I.

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Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 21-26A repealed (1.4.2010 for E., 1.11.2010 for W.) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(4), Sch. 12 para. 13, Sch. 16 Pt. 4; S.I. 2010/1151, art. 2, Sch. 1; S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

Functions of the AuthorityE+W+N.I.

F122 General function of Authority to advance education and training.E+W+N.I.

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Textual Amendments

F123 Functions of the Authority in relation to curriculum and assessment.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F124 Functions of the Authority in relation to external vocational and academic qualifications.E+W+N.I.

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Textual Amendments

F125 Other functions of the Authority.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F126 Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by Authority of their functions.E+W+N.I.

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Textual Amendments

F126A Power of Authority to give directionsE+W+N.I.

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Textual Amendments

Chapter IIU.K. [F2Functions of the National Assembly for Wales]

Textual Amendments

F2Pt. V Ch. II heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 8 (with art. 7)

F3...E+W

Textual Amendments

F3S. 27 crossheading omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 9 (with art. 7)

F427 The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F4S. 27 omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 9 (with art. 7)

Functions of the [F5National Assembly for Wales] E+W

Textual Amendments

F5Words in s. 28 cross-heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with art. 7)

28 General function of [F6National Assembly for Wales] to advance education and training.E+W

(1)The functions conferred on the [F7National Assembly for Wales] by this Part shall be exercised by [F8the National Assembly for Wales] for the purpose of advancing education and training in Wales.

(2)[F9The National Assembly for Wales] shall exercise [F10its functions] under this Part with a view to promoting quality and coherence in education and training in relation to which [F11it has] functions under this Part.

Textual Amendments

F6Words in s. 28 heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with art. 7)

F7Words in s. 28(1) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(a)(i) (with art. 7)

F8Words in s. 28(1) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(a)(ii) (with art. 7)

F9Words in s. 28(2) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(b)(i) (with art. 7)

F10Words in s. 28(2) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(b)(ii) (with art. 7)

F11Words in s. 28(2) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(b)(iii) (with art. 7)

29 Functions of the [F12National Assembly for Wales] in relation to curriculum and assessment.E+W

(1)[F13The National Assembly for Wales] shall have the functions set out in subsection (2) [F14 with respect to—

(a)pupils at maintained schools in Wales who have not ceased to be of compulsory school age,

(b)pupils at maintained nursery schools in Wales, and

(c)children for whom funded nursery education is provided in Wales otherwise than at a maintained school or maintained nursery school.]

(2)The functions are—

(a)to keep under review all aspects of the curriculum for [F15maintained schools or maintained nursery schools] and all aspects of school examinations and assessment;

F16(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)to publish and disseminate, and assist in the publication and dissemination of, information relating to the curriculum for such schools or to school examinations and assessment;

(e)to make arrangements with appropriate bodies for auditing the quality of assessments made in pursuance of assessment arrangements; F18...

(f)F18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F19(2A)In subsection (2) references to the curriculum for a maintained nursery school include references to the curriculum for any funded nursery education provided as mentioned in subsection (1)(c); and references to assessment in schools include references to assessment in funded nursery education.]

(3)The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the function of developing learning goals and related materials for children who are [F20under compulsory school age.]

(4)The Authority shall have, in relation to Wales, the following functions in connection with baseline assessment schemes (within the meaning of Chapter I of Part IV), namely—

(a)if designated by the Secretary of State for the purpose, any function of a designated body under that Chapter; and

(b)any other function which may be conferred on the Authority by the Secretary of State.

[F21(5)In this section—

“assessment” includes examination and test;
“funded nursery education” has the meaning given by section 98 of the Education Act 2002;
“maintained school” means—
(a)
any community, foundation or voluntary school, and
(b)
any community F22... special school.

(6)In the definition of “maintained school”, the reference to a community, foundation or voluntary school or to a community F23... special school, is a reference to such a school within the meaning of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.]

[F24(7)In this section references to ”school examinations and assessment” do not include examinations taken or assessments carried out for the purpose of the award of a qualification within the meaning of section 56 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015.]

Textual Amendments

F12Words in s. 29 heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 12 (with art. 7)

F13Words in s. 29(1) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(a) (with art. 7)

F14Words in s. 29(1) substituted (19.12.2002) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), Sch. 17 para. 5(2) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, arts. 2, 4, Sch. Pt. 1

F15Words in s. 29(2)(a) substituted (19.12.2002) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), s. 189, Sch. 17 para. 5(3)(a) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, arts. 2, 4, Sch. Pt. 1

F16S. 29(2)(b) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(b)(i) (with art. 7)

F17S. 29(2)(c) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(b)(ii) (with art. 7)

F18S. 29(2)(f) and preceding word repealed (19.12.2002) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 189, 215(2), Sch. 17 para. 5(3)(b), Sch. 22 Pt. 2 (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, arts. 2, 4, Sch. Pt. 1

F19S. 29(2A) inserted (19.12.2002) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), s. 189, Sch. 17 para. 5(4) (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, arts. 2, 4, Sch. Pt. 1

F20Words in s. 29(3) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 215 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F21S. 29(5)(6) substituted for s. 29(5) (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 14; S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

F22Words in s. 29(5) omitted (W.) (1.10.2013) by virtue of School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1), s. 100(4), Sch. 5 para. 18(2)(a); S.I. 2013/1800, art. 3(j)

F23Words in s. 29(6) omitted (W.) (1.10.2013) by virtue of School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1), s. 100(4), Sch. 5 para. 18(2)(b); S.I. 2013/1800, art. 3(j)

F24S. 29(7) inserted (21.9.2015) by Qualifications Wales Act 2015 (anaw 5), s. 60(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(2); S.I. 2015/1687, art. 2 (with arts. 3-13)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 29 modified (temp.) (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), arts. 1(1), 7(4) (with art. 7)

F2730 Functions of the [F25National Assembly for Wales] in relation to [F26relevant] qualificationsE+W

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Textual Amendments

F25Words in s. 30 heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 14 (with art. 7)

F26Word in s. 30 heading substituted (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 15(8); S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

F27S. 30 omitted (21.9.2015) by virtue of Qualifications Wales Act 2015 (anaw 5), s. 60(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(a); S.I. 2015/1687, art. 2 (with arts. 3-13)

F2831 Other functions of the Authority.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F28S. 31 omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 16 (with art. 7)

32 Supplementary provisions relating to discharge by [F29the National Assembly for Wales of its functions].E+W

(1)In carrying out [F30its functions] under this Part [F31the National Assembly for Wales] shall—

F32(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)so far as relevant, have regard to—

(i)the requirements of [F34section 99 of the Education Act 2002] (general duties in respect of curriculum),

(ii)the [F35reasonable] requirements of industry, commerce, finance and the professions regarding education and training (including required standards of practical competence), and

[F36(iii)the reasonable requirements of persons with learning difficulties.]

(2)In carrying out those functions [F37the National Assembly for Wales] shall in addition have regard to information supplied [F38to it] by [F39Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales or Prif Arolygydd Ei Mawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru] or by any body designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

F40(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41(3A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F42(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F43(4A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F44(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F45(6)In this section “persons with learning difficulties” means—

(a)children with [F46additional learning needs (as defined in section 2 of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018)], and

(b)other persons who—

(i)have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of persons of their age, or

(ii)have a disability which either prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for persons of their age.

(7)But a person is not to be taken to have a learning difficulty solely because the language (or form of language) in which the person is or will be taught is different from a language (or form of language) which has at any time been spoken in the person's home.]

Textual Amendments

F29Words in s. 32 heading substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 17 (with art. 7)

F30Words in s. 32(1) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(a)(i) (with art. 7)

F31Words in s. 32(1) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(a)(ii) (with art. 7)

F32S. 32(1)(a) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(a)(iii) (with art. 7)

F33S. 32(1)(b) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(a)(iii) (with art. 7)

F34Words in s. 32(1)(c)(i) substituted (19.12.2002 for W., 1.3.2003 for E.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), s. 216(4), Sch. 21 para. 70 (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/3185, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2003/124, art. 2

F35Word in s. 32(1)(c)(ii) inserted (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 16(2)(a); S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

F36S. 32(1)(c)(iii) substituted (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 16(2)(b); S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

F37Words in s. 32(2) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(b)(i) (with art. 7)

F38Words in s. 32(2) substituted (1.4.2006) by Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(b)(ii) (with art. 7)

F39Words in s. 32(2) substituted (1.1.2001) by 2000 c. 21, s. 73(a); S.I. 2000/3230, art. 2, Sch.

F40S. 32(3) omitted (21.9.2015) by virtue of Qualifications Wales Act 2015 (anaw 5), s. 60(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2015/1687, art. 2 (with arts. 3-12)

F41S. 32(3A) omitted (21.9.2015) by virtue of Qualifications Wales Act 2015 (anaw 5), s. 60(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2015/1687, art. 2 (with arts. 3-12)

F42S. 32(4) omitted (21.9.2015) by virtue of Qualifications Wales Act 2015 (anaw 5), s. 60(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2015/1687, art. 2 (with arts. 3-12)

F43S. 32(4A) repealed (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 16(4), Sch. 16 Pt. 4; S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a)(b) (with arts. 3-5)

F44S. 32(5) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3239), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 18(g) (with art. 7)

F45S. 32(6)(7) substituted for s. 32(6) (1.11.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(3), Sch. 12 para. 16(5); S.I. 2010/2413, art. 2(a) (with arts. 3-5)

F46Words in s. 32(6)(a) substituted (1.9.2021) by The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/861), regs. 1, 3(2)