Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 Provision of school education: right of child and duty of education authority Right of child to school education 1 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. Duty of education authority in providing school education 2 1 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. 2 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. Health promotion Duties in relation to promotion of health 2A 1 The Scottish Ministers must endeavour to ensure that— a schools managed by education authorities, b grant-aided schools, and c hostels provided and maintained by education authorities for pupils, are health-promoting. 2 An education authority must endeavour to ensure that— a schools managed by them, and b hostels provided and maintained by them for pupils, are health-promoting. 3 The managers of a grant-aided school must endeavour to ensure that the school is health-promoting. 4 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. 4A 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. 4B 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. 4C 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. 5 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)— a activities, and b 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. Raising standards Raising standards 3 1 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. 2 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. 3 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— a section 14 of the 1980 Act; or b section 35 of this Act. 4 In subsections (1) to (3) above, “ school education ” means school education directed as is described in section 2 of this Act. Pupils experiencing inequalities of outcome: Scottish Ministers' duty 3A 1 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). 2 The way is a way designed to reduce inequalities of outcome for— a pupils who experience those inequalities as a result of socio-economic disadvantage, and b pupils who— i experience those inequalities other than as a result of socio-economic disadvantage, and ii are of such description as may be specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers. 3 Regulations under subsection (2)(b)(ii) are subject to the affirmative procedure. Pupils experiencing inequalities of outcome: education authority's duties 3B 1 This section applies where— a an education authority is making a decision of a strategic nature about the carrying out of its functions relating to school education, or b an education authority is considering what steps to take to implement such a decision. 2 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). 3 The authority must— a seek and have regard to the views of persons mentioned in subsection (4) in relation to the decision and steps, b provide any advice and support that the authority thinks appropriate to those persons in relation to its consideration of the decision and steps. 4 The persons are— a the headteachers of such schools managed by the authority as the authority thinks appropriate, b such pupils as the authority thinks appropriate, c the parents of such pupils as the authority thinks appropriate, d 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, e such voluntary organisations as the authority thinks appropriate, f any other persons the authority thinks appropriate. National Improvement Framework 3C 1 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”). 2 The Scottish Ministers must review each year the National Improvement Framework. 3 In carrying out a review under subsection (2), the Scottish Ministers must— a give the persons mentioned in subsection (4) an opportunity to express views on the National Improvement Framework, and b have regard to any such views. 4 The persons are— a education authorities, b persons appearing to the Scottish Ministers to be representative of teachers employed by education authorities for the provision of school education, c such pupils who are being provided with school education as the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, d such parents of pupils who are being provided with school education as the Scottish Ministers think appropriate. 5 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). 6 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. 7 In subsection (1), “ school education ” means school education directed as is described in section 2. Carrying out of education authority's duty under section 3(2) 3D 1 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. 2 The education authority must carry out the duty with a view to achieving the strategic priorities set out in the National Improvement Framework. Annual plan: Scottish Ministers 3E 1 Before the beginning of the planning period each year, the Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a plan setting out— a 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 b the educational benefits for those pupils that they consider will result from taking those steps. 2 In subsection (1), “ planning period ” means the period of 12 months beginning with such day as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations. 3 Regulations under subsection (2) are subject to the negative procedure. Annual plan: education authority 3F 1 Before the beginning of the planning period each year, each education authority must prepare and publish a plan (an “annual plan”) setting out— a 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), b the steps that the authority proposes to take during the planning period to comply with the duties imposed on it by section 3B(3), c the steps that the authority proposes to take during the planning period in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and d any educational benefits for pupils that the authority considers will result from taking those steps. 2 As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing an annual plan, each education authority must give a copy of the plan to the Scottish Ministers. 3 If a new National Improvement Framework is published by virtue of section 3C(6), each education authority must— a review the authority's annual plan, b make any revisions that are necessary in view of the new National Improvement Framework, and c if the authority makes any revisions under paragraph (b), publish a revised annual plan and give a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers. 4 In subsection (1), “ planning period ” means the period of 12 months beginning with such day as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe by regulations. 5 Regulations under subsection (4) are subject to the negative procedure. Annual report: Scottish Ministers 3G 1 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— a the steps they have taken with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), b any steps they have taken in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and c any educational benefits for pupils that they consider result from taking those steps. 2 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. 3 As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing an annual report the Scottish Ministers must lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament. Annual report: education authority 3H 1 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— a the steps the authority has taken with a view to reducing inequalities of outcome for pupils of a type mentioned in section 3A(2), b the steps the authority has taken to comply with the duties imposed on it by section 3B(3), c any steps the authority has taken in pursuance of the National Improvement Framework, and d any educational benefits for pupils that the authority considers result from taking those steps. 2 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. 3 In subsection (2), “ children's services plan ” has the meaning given by section 8(2) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. 4 As soon as reasonably practicable after publishing a report, an education authority must give a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers. Equal opportunities 3I 1 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. 2 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. 3 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. National priorities in education 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Education authority’s annual statement of improvement objectives 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School improvement plans 6 1 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— a 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 b a summary of the improvement plan. 2 The persons are— a any Parent Council or Combined Parent Council established for the school; b the teachers employed in the school; c such persons so employed or working in the school on an unpaid basis as are not teachers; and d such local bodies as appear to the authority to be representative of— i such teachers; ii such persons; or iii parents of pupils in attendance at the school. 3 The improvement plan shall include an account of the ways in which, and extent to which, the headteacher of the school will— a consult the pupils in attendance at the school; and b seek to involve them, when decisions require to be made concerning the everyday running of the school. 4 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 a report as to what was done, during those twelve months, in implementation of the plan; and b a summary of that report. 5 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. 6 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. Review of school performance 7 1 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. 1A In defining measures and standards of performance for the purposes of subsection (1), an education authority must take into account— a the National Improvement Framework, and b the plan (or revised plan) published by the authority under section 3F. 2 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. 3 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. Delegation schemes Delegation schemes 8 1 An education authority shall have a scheme for delegating to the headteacher of a school— a managed by them; and b 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. 2 The scheme— a shall delegate to the headteacher the preparation of the school improvement plan; and b may also so delegate such other management functions in relation to the school as the authority think fit. 3 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. Inspections Inspection of education authority 9 1 On any occasion on which they are requested to do so by the Scottish Ministers, or at such intervals as appear to the Scottish Ministers to be appropriate, 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), shall inspect an education authority so as to review the way in which the authority are exercising their functions in relation to the provision of school education. 2 A request under subsection (1) above may relate to those functions generally or to such matters in relation to those functions as may be specified in the request. 3 The education authority shall give all assistance which they are reasonably able to give to whomever is carrying out the inspection. Code of practice as regards inspection of education authority 10 The Scottish Ministers may, for the purposes of— a giving practical guidance on matters relating to inspections under section 9 of this Act (including, without prejudice to that generality, such matters as the making and publishing of reports on the matters reviewed); and b promoting what appear to them to be desirable practices with respect to those matters, from time to time prepare, approve and issue such codes of practice as in their opinion are suitable for those purposes. Duty of Her Majesty’s Inspectors to make reference to Scottish Ministers 10A 1 This section applies where, after an inspection under section 9 of this Act, Her Majesty’s Inspectors identify that an education authority require to take action to secure improvement in the way the authority exercise a function in relation to the provision of school education. 2 If it appears to Her Majesty’s Inspectors that— a having been given sufficient opportunity to secure improvement in the way they exercise a function identified under subsection (1) above, the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to do so; and b having regard to the seriousness of that failure, an enforcement direction is justified, they shall make a reference to the Scottish Ministers. 3 A reference under subsection (2) above shall— a be in writing; b specify the failure mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above; and c include recommendations as to the action which, in the opinion of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, the education authority require to take to remedy or prevent the recurrence of that failure. 4 Where Her Majesty’s Inspectors make a reference under subsection (2) above, they shall inform the education authority of the making of that reference. Preliminary notice 10B 1 Where, on a reference under section 10A(2) of this Act, it appears to the Scottish Ministers that— a the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to secure improvement in the way they exercise the function mentioned in section 10A(2)(a) of this Act; and b an enforcement direction is justified, they may serve a preliminary notice on the authority. 2 A preliminary notice is a notice which— a informs the education authority of the apparent failure mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above; and b requires the authority to submit to the Scottish Ministers, within such time as is specified in the notice, a written response which— i states that the authority have not so failed and gives reasons supporting that statement; or ii states that the authority have so failed but gives reasons why an enforcement direction should not be given to them. Enforcement direction 10C 1 Where, following service under section 10B(1) of this Act of a preliminary notice and the expiry of the time specified in it, it still appears to the Scottish Ministers that— a the education authority are failing or have failed to take satisfactory action to secure improvement in the way they exercise the function mentioned in section 10A(2)(a) of this Act; and b having regard to the seriousness of that failure, action under this section is justified, they may give the authority an enforcement direction. 2 An enforcement direction is a direction in writing by the Scottish Ministers requiring the education authority to which it is given to take, within such time as is specified in the direction, such action as is so specified, being action calculated to remedy or prevent the recurrence of the failure mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above. 3 Where two or more courses of action are specified in an enforcement direction, the Scottish Ministers may specify for each a different time within which it is to be taken. 4 An enforcement direction may place such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may specify in it upon the exercise of such functions of the education authority in relation to the provision of school education as are so specified. 5 The Scottish Ministers may vary an enforcement direction by giving a further such direction. 6 A further such direction need not proceed upon a further preliminary notice under section 10B(1) of this Act. 7 An enforcement direction may be revoked by the Scottish Ministers. 8 Before giving, varying or revoking an enforcement direction, the Scottish Ministers shall consult Her Majesty’s Inspectors. 9 An education authority to which an enforcement direction is given shall comply with it. 10 The Scottish Ministers may, instead of or as well as giving an enforcement direction, make such recommendations to the education authority as they think appropriate. 11 If the Scottish Ministers exercise their power to give, vary or revoke an enforcement direction they shall— a prepare a report on their exercise of that power; and b lay that report before the Scottish Parliament. Inspection of educational establishment 11 In section 66 of the 1980 Act (which makes provision for the inspection of educational establishments)— a in subsection (1), for the words from “other persons” to the end there shall be substituted “ any person appointed by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section (or Her Majesty’s Inspectors and any such person) ” ; and b after that subsection there shall be inserted— 1AA If requested to do so by the Scottish Ministers— a Her Majesty’s Inspectors or any person appointed by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section shall give advice to the Scottish Ministers on such matter as may be specified in the request; b Her Majesty’s Inspectors or any such person (or Her Majesty’s Inspectors and any such person) may, as respects a matter so specified, inspect and report on a school (including any establishment in which school education is provided in pursuance of arrangements entered into under section 35 of this Act), or class of schools, so specified. . Code of practice as regards inspection of educational establishment 12 After section 66 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted— Code of practice as regards inspections under section 66 66A 1 Subject to subsection (2) below, the Scottish Ministers may, for the purposes of— a giving practical guidance on matters relating to inspections under section 66 of this Act (including, without prejudice to that generality, such matters as the making and publishing of reports on those inspections); and b promoting what appear to them to be desirable practices with respect to these matters, from time to time prepare, approve and issue such codes of practice as in their opinion are suitable for those purposes. 2 Subsection (1) above does not apply in relation to inspections of educational establishments which are institutions for the provision of any form of further education. . Guidance Guidance to education authorities: raising standards and delegation schemes 13 1 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. 2 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–– a each education authority, b the parents of any pupils that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, c any voluntary organisations that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate, d any other persons that the Scottish Ministers think appropriate. Guidance to education authorities as to home education 14 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. Requirement for mainstream education Requirement that education be provided in mainstream schools 15 1 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. 2 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— a provide school education in a school to the child, provide it in; or b 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. 3 The circumstances are, that to provide education for the child in a school other than a special school— a would not be suited to the ability or aptitude of the child; b would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for the children with whom the child would be educated; or c 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. 4 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. Ending of corporal punishment in schools No justification for corporal punishment 16 1 Corporal punishment given by, or on the authority of, a member of staff to a pupil— a for whom school education is provided by an education authority (whether or not at a school); b for whom school education is provided, at a school other than a nursery school, by a person other than an education authority; or c for whom school education is provided— i 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 ii 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. 2 Subsection (1) above applies to corporal punishment given at any time and whether or not given at the place where education is provided. 3 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. 4 Corporal punishment shall not be taken to be given to a pupil by virtue of anything done for reasons which include averting— a an immediate danger of personal injury to; or b an immediate danger to the property of, any person (including the pupil concerned). 5 In subsection (1) above, “ member of staff ”, in relation to the pupil concerned, means— a any person who works as a teacher at the school or other place at which education is provided for the pupil; or b any other person who (whether in connection with the provision of education for the pupil or otherwise)— i works at that school or place; or ii otherwise provides services there (whether or not for payment), and has lawful control or charge of the pupil. 6 Section 48A of the 1980 Act (which makes provision with regard to corporal punishment in schools etc.) is repealed. Ending of self-governing status of schools Ending of self-governing status of school 17 1 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. 2 On and after that date, the education authority in whose area the school is situated shall manage the school. 3 On that date— a all— i land and other property (including corporeal and incorporeal moveable property); and ii rights and obligations, which immediately before that date were vested in that board shall transfer to and vest in that authority; and b all persons in the employment of that board shall transfer to the employment of that authority. 4 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). Order supplementary to ending of self-governing status 18 1 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. 2 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, an order under this section may— a stipulate a timetable for any steps that may be specified in the order as necessary or expedient in relation to that change in status; b provide for the payment of the expenses attributable to that change in status; c 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; d provide for the ingathering of any land or moveable property owned by— i the board; or ii trustees for the purposes of the school; or e require the board to comply with any directions given by the Scottish Ministers in relation to that change in status. 3 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— a is transferred to the education authority by virtue of section 17 of this Act; and b 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). 4 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. 5 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. Transfer of staff of self-governing school 19 1 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. 2 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. 3 Without prejudice to subsection (2) above— a 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 b 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. 4 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. 5 Where a person— a 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 b 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. Provision of information in relation to self-governing school 20 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— a 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— i the administration and finances of the school; ii the fabric of the school; iii the staff transferred to the employment of the authority by virtue of section 17(3)(b) of this Act; and iv the pupils in attendance at the school; and b 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. Educational endowments in relation to self-governing school 21 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. Interruption of process of transition to self-governing status 22 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. Purported disposal of property of self-governing school 23 1 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. 2 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. Independent schools Registration of independent school 24 1 In section 98 of the 1980 Act— a ... and b 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. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Welfare of pupil attending independent school 25 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— aa that the welfare of a pupil attending the school is not adequately safeguarded and promoted there; . School Boards Role of School Board in raising standards and improving quality of education 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Election to School Board after school ceases to be self-governing 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacancies for parent members of School Board 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restriction on councillor’s membership of School Board 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Involvement of School Board in preparing short leet for appointment of headteacher etc. 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delegation of education authority’s functions to School Board 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pre-school children Provision of education for pre-school children etc. 32 1 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. 2 In subsection (1), for the word “(2)” there shall be substituted “ (1A) ” . 3 After subsection (1) there shall be inserted— 1A 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. 1B 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. 1C 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. . 4 Subsection (2) is repealed. 5 After subsection (4) there shall be inserted— 4A 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. 4B In this section “ pre-school children ” means— a 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 b children who have attained school age but have not commenced attendance at such a school. . Fees 33 1 School education provided by virtue of subsections (1) and (1A) of section 1 of the 1980 Act shall be provided without payment of fees. 2 An education authority may charge fees for school education provided by virtue of subsection (1C) of that section. 3 For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above, the school education may be provided— a in a nursery school; b in a nursery class in a school; or c in pursuance of arrangements entered into under section 35 of this Act, in some other establishment. 4 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— 7 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. . Guidance to education authorities as respects discharge of certain functions 34 The Scottish Ministers may from time to time give guidance to education authorities as respects the discharge by authorities of— a 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; b in so far as relating to the functions mentioned in paragraph (a) above, any other functions of education authorities under those Acts ; and c 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. Provision of school education by persons other than education authorities 35 An education authority may, for the purposes of— a fulfilling the duty imposed on them by subsections (1) and (1A) of section 1 of the 1980 Act; or b 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. Inspection of establishments other than schools 36 In section 66 of the 1980 Act (which makes provision for the inspection of educational establishments), for subsection (1A) there shall be substituted— 1A 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). . Provision of transport etc. by education authority 37 1 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 a nursery school; b a nursery class in a school; or c 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. 2 The facilities are— a 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; b 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; c the payment of the whole or any part, as the authority think fit, of the reasonable travelling expenses of children. 3 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— 4 In this section “ school ” does not include a nursery school or a nursery class in a school. . Admission of children under school age to primary school 38 1 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. 2 Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any other power or duty of the education authority. Repeal of Part II of Education (Scotland) Act 1996 39 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. Education outwith school Education outwith school 40 For section 14 of the 1980 Act there shall be substituted— Education for children unable to attend school etc. 14 1 If an education authority are satisfied that, by reason of— a any extraordinary circumstances (not being circumstances mentioned in paragraph (b), or subsection (2) or (3), below)— i a pupil is unable; or ii it would be unreasonable to expect a pupil, to attend a suitable educational establishment for the purpose of receiving education, they may; b a pupil’s prolonged ill-health— i the pupil is unable; or ii 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. 2 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. 3 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— a provide school education for him in a school managed by them; b make arrangements for him to receive such education in any other school the managers of which are willing to receive him; or c make such special arrangements as are mentioned in subsection (1) above. . Exclusion from school Rights of appeal against exclusion from school 41 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— a the parent of the pupil; or b the pupil, where the pupil is a young person. Grants Grants in respect of activities relating to school education 42 1 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). 2 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. Placing requests Placing requests: extent of education authority’s duty 43 1 The 1980 Act shall be amended in accordance with this section. 2 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) ” . 3 In section 28C (which relates to the reference to an appeal committee of a refusal of a placing request), subsection (2) is repealed. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further provision as respects placing requests 44 1 Section 28A of the 1980 Act shall be further amended in accordance with this section. 2 In subsection (1), after the words “parent of a child” there shall be inserted “ of school age ” . 3 After subsection (1) there shall be inserted— 1A The education authorities shall— a in carrying out the duty imposed on them by subsection (1) above; and b in deciding when that duty does not apply, have regard to such guidance as the Scottish Ministers may give in that respect. . 4 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— vi 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 vii 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; . 5 In subsection (3A), the words “Subject to subsection (3B) below,” are repealed. 6 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. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The General Teaching Council Functions of the Council 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Constitution of the Council 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further provision as to keeping of register of teachers 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provision of information by Council 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provision of information to Council 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Professional Conduct Committee and Investigating and Disciplinary Sub-committees 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appeals 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amendment of section 17 of 1965 Act 52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Council to borrow money 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power of Scottish Ministers to require Council to establish committees 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abolition of SJNC Abolition of Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for School Education 55 1 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. 2 Where— a a settlement formulated under section 91(1) of that Act; b a determination which, under subsection (8) of section 97B of that Act, has the same effect as a settlement so formulated; or c 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. Sex education and medical matters Guidance to education authorities as to manner of conducting sex education 56 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. Consent of child to medical procedures 57 After section 131 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted— Consent of child to medical procedures 131A 1 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. 2 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. . General Interpretation 58 1 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 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; and “ school improvement plan ” means an improvement plan prepared under section 6(1)(a) of this Act for a school. 2 Any expression used in this Act and in the 1980 Act has the same meaning in this Act as in that Act. Regulations 59 1 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. 2 Regulations under this section may make different provision as to different cases or circumstances. 3 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. Amendments and repeals 60 1 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. 2 There are also repealed, to the extent specified in the second column of schedule 3 to this Act, the enactments mentioned in that schedule. Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and savings 61 1 This Act may be cited as the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000. 2 There shall come into force on Royal Assent— a this section; b section 23 of this Act; and c 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. 3 Different days may be so appointed for different provisions and for different purposes. 4 An order under subsection (2) above may contain such transitional provisions and savings as the Scottish Ministers think fit.