(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke and re-enact with modifications the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 (“the 1996 Regulations”). The Regulations apply to schools maintained by local education authorities (including pupil referral units) and, until 1st September 1999, to grant-maintained and grant-maintained special schools in England and Wales.
Part I and Schedule 1 contain 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.
Part III contains provisions about accommodation which must be available in boarding schools to which the regulations apply.
Part IV contains provisions about structural requirements and health, safety and welfare, which apply to all schools.
Part V and Schedule 2 contain provisions about playing fields.
Apart from drafting changes the changes are—
(a)a washroom provided for pupils and staff who are disabled may contain a deep sink or shower;
(b)the requirement for the provision of accommodation for the care of pupils is not restricted to the care of pupils during school hours;
(c)subject to savings contained in regulation 26 the provisions formerly in paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 whereby the minimum areas of playing fields could be reduced in certain circumstances are not continued; and
(d)subject to savings contained in regulation 26 the minimum area requirement for team game playing fields (as defined) is extended to special schools;
(e)team game playing fields with an all weather surface may count as twice their area for the purpose of the minimum area requirement for team game playing fields;
(f)changes are made consequential on the new school framework contained in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.