The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
(a)to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b)to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply to determine for the purposes of any enactment whether a person is of compulsory school age.
(2)A person begins to be of compulsory school age when he attains the age of five.
(3)A person ceases to be of compulsory school age at the end of the day which is the school leaving date for any calendar year—
(a)if he attains the age of 16 after that day but before the beginning of the school year next following,
(b)if he attains that age on that day, or
(c)(unless paragraph (a) applies) if that day is the school leaving date next following his attaining that age.
(4)The Secretary of State may by order determine the day in any calendar year which is to be the school leaving date for that year.