Part I General
Chapter I The statutory system of education
Compulsory education
7 Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age.
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
a
to his age, ability and aptitude, and
b
to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
8 Compulsory school age.
1
Subsections (2) and (3) apply to determine for the purposes of any enactment whether a person is of compulsory school age.
2
A person begins to be of compulsory school age when he attains the age of five.
3
A person ceases to be of compulsory school age at the end of the day which is the school leaving date for any calendar year—
a
if he attains the age of 16 after that day but before the beginning of the school year next following,
b
if he attains that age on that day, or
c
(unless paragraph (a) applies) if that day is the school leaving date next following his attaining that age.
4
The Secretary of State may by order determine the day in any calendar year which is to be the school leaving date for that year.