Education Act 1996

Cleanliness of pupils E+W

521 Examination of pupils for cleanliness. E+W

(1) A [F1 local authority] may by directions in writing authorise a medical officer of theirs to have the persons and clothing of pupils in attendance at relevant schools examined whenever in his opinion such examinations are necessary in the interests of cleanliness.

(2) Directions under subsection (1) may be given with respect to—

(a) all relevant schools, or

(b) any relevant schools named in the directions.

(3) An examination under this section shall be made by a person authorised by the authority to make such examinations; and, if the examination is of a girl, it shall not be made by a man unless he is a registered medical practitioner.

(4) For the purposes of this section “relevant schools” are—

(a) schools maintained by the authority; F2 . . .

F3 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

F2 Word in s. 521(4)(a) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 141, Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F3 S. 521(4)(b) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 141, Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

522 Compulsory cleansing of a pupil. E+W

(1) If, on an examination under section 521, the person or clothing of a pupil is found to be infested with vermin or in a foul condition, any officer of the [F1 local authority] may serve a notice on the pupil’s parent requiring him to cause the pupil’s person and clothing to be cleansed.

(2) The notice shall inform the parent that, unless within the period specified in the notice the pupil’s person and clothing are cleansed to the satisfaction of such person as is specified in the notice, the cleansing will be carried out under arrangements made by the authority.

(3) The period so specified shall not be less than 24 hours from the service of the notice.

(4) If, on a report being made to him by the specified person at the end of the specified period, a medical officer of the authority is not satisfied that the pupil’s person and clothing have been properly cleansed, he may by order direct that they shall be cleansed under arrangements made by the authority under section 523.

(5) An order made under subsection (4) shall be sufficient to authorise any officer of the authority—

(a) to cause the pupil’s person and clothing to be cleansed in accordance with arrangements made by the authority under section 523, and

(b) for that purpose to convey the pupil to, and detain him at, any premises provided in accordance with such arrangements.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

523 Arrangements for cleansing of pupils. E+W

(1) A [F1 local authority] shall make arrangements for securing that the person or clothing of any pupil required to be cleansed under section 522 may be cleansed (whether at the request of a parent or in pursuance of an order under section 522(4)) at suitable premises, by suitable persons and with suitable appliances.

(2) Where the council of a district in the area of the authority are entitled to the use of any premises or appliances for cleansing the person or clothing of persons infested with vermin, the authority may require the council to permit the authority to use those premises or appliances for such purposes upon such terms as may be determined—

(a) by agreement between the authority and the council, or

(b) in default of such agreement, by the Secretary of State.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to Wales.

(4) A girl may be cleansed under arrangements under this section only by a registered medical practitioner or by a woman authorised for the purpose by the authority.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

524 [F4 Suspension of a pupil pending examination or cleansing.] E+W

(1) Where—

(a) a medical officer of a [F1 local authority] suspects that the person or clothing of a pupil in attendance at a relevant school is infested with vermin or in a foul condition, but

(b) action for the examination or cleansing of the pupil’s person and clothing cannot be taken immediately,

the medical officer may direct that the pupil is to be [F5 suspended] from the school until such action has been taken, if he considers it necessary to do so in the interests either of the pupil or of other pupils in attendance at the school.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) is a defence to any proceedings under Chapter II of Part VI in respect of the failure of the pupil to attend school on any day on which he is excluded in pursuance of the direction, unless it is proved that the giving of the direction was necessitated by the wilful default of the pupil or his parent.

(3) For the purposes of this section a “relevant school” is—

(a) a school maintained by the [F1 local authority], F6 . . .

F6 (b) . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

F4 Sidenote substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 142(c) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F5 Word in s. 524(1) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(1), 145(3), Sch. 30 para. 142(a) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

F6 S. 524(3)(b) and the word "or" preceding it repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 142(b), Sch.31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

525 Offence of neglecting the cleanliness of a pupil. E+W

(1) If, after the person or clothing of a pupil has been cleansed under section 522—

(a) his person or clothing is again infested with vermin, or in a foul condition, at any time while he is in attendance at a relevant school, and

(b) the condition of his person or clothing is due to neglect on the part of his parent,

the parent is guilty of an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

(3) For the purposes of this section a “relevant school” is a school maintained by a [F1 local authority] F7 . . ..

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))

F7 Words in s. 525(3) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para.143, Sch. 31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.