Education Act 1996 (c. 56)

Part V E+W The Curriculum

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. V (ss. 350-410) modified (1.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2262, reg. 57

Chapter IV E+W Miscellaneous and supplementary provisions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Pt. V Ch. IV: power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16), ss. 34(6)(b), 70(2); S.I. 2018/346, reg. 4(e)

C3 Pt. V Ch. IV: power to amend conferred (1.4.2018) by Children and Social Work Act 2017 (c. 16), ss. 35(4)(b), 70(2); S.I. 2018/346, reg. 4(f)

Politics E+W

406 Political indoctrination. E+W

(1) The [F1 local authority], governing body and head teacher shall forbid—

(a) the pursuit of partisan political activities by any of those registered pupils at a maintained school who are junior pupils, and

(b) the promotion of partisan political views—

[F2 (i)] in the teaching of any subject in the school [F3 (in the case of a school in England), or]

[F4 (ii) in the teaching of any aspect of a curriculum provided in the school under the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (in the case of a school in Wales)]

(2) In the case of activities which take place otherwise than on the school premises, subsection (1)(a) applies only where arrangements for junior pupils to take part in the activities are made by—

(a) any member of the school’s staff (in his capacity as such), or

(b) anyone acting on behalf of the school or of a member of the school’s staff (in his capacity as such).

(3) In this section “maintained school” includes [F5 a community or foundation special school] established in a hospital.

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 Words in s. 406(1)(b)(i) in s. 406(1)(b) renumbered as s. 406(1)(b)(i) (1.9.2022 for specified purposes, 1.9.2023 for specified purposes) by The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Primary Legislation) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/744), reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 2(5)(a)

F3 Words in s. 406(1)(b)(i) inserted (1.9.2022 for specified purposes, 1.9.2023 for specified purposes) by The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Primary Legislation) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/744), reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 2(5)(b)

F4 S. 406(1)(b)(ii) inserted (1.9.2022 for specified purposes, 1.9.2023 for specified purposes) by The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Primary Legislation) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/744), reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 2(5)(c)

F5 Words in s. 406(3) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para.104 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

407 Duty to secure balanced treatment of political issues. E+W

(1) The [F1 local authority], governing body and head teacher shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils while they are—

(a) in attendance at a maintained school, or

(b) taking part in extra-curricular activities which are provided or organised for registered pupils at the school by or on behalf of the school,

they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

(2) In this section “maintained school” includes [F6 a community or foundation special school] established in a hospital.

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))

F6 Words in s. 407(2) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para.105 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1