The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations supersede the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 (as amended) (“the 1981 Regulations”) which are revoked. The Regulations apply to schools maintained by local education authorities (including pupil referral units) and grant-maintained and grant-maintained special schools in England and Wales.

Part I contains provisions of general application (regulations 1 and 2).

Part II contains provisions about accommodation which must be available in all schools to which the Regulations apply.

The detailed requirements in the 1981 Regulations relating to recreation areas, teaching accommodation, accommodation for private study and social purposes for pupils who have attained 16, the adequacy of land provided for the school for ancillary facilities, and the adequacy of school buildings for the storage of apparatus, equipment, and materials used in teaching and of furniture and fuel, no longer apply.

The requirements in the 1981 Regulations relating to washrooms for pupils and staff are retained with some modifications. A new requirement has been introduced that sanitary facilities must be adequate, and separate washrooms must be provided for male and female pupils who have attained 8 years. Changing accommodation must be provided for pupils who have attained 11 years and are in receipt of physical education (not 8&4uspace;years as in the 1981 Regulations).

A new provision is introduced relating to certain washrooms which make provision for the needs of the disabled. Such washrooms may be used by any pupil, member of staff or visitor to the school.

Part III contains provisions about accommodation which must be available in boarding schools to which the Regulations apply. The requirements in the 1981 Regulations are retained except that a new requirement that sleeping and washroom accommodation must be adequate is introduced.

Part IV contains provisions about structural requirements and health, safety and welfare, which apply to all schools to which the Regulations apply.

Part V and Schedule 2 retain with minor modifications the provisions about playing fields in the 1981 Regulations. These do not apply to pupil referral units (as defined in section 298(2) of the Education Act 1993).