The Education Act 2002
Main provisions of the Education Act 2002
The Education Act 2002 received Royal Assent in July. The Act implements the legislative commitments set out in the White paper Schools — Achieving Success. It is a substantial and important piece of legislation intended to raise standards, promote innovation in schools and reform education law. The following summary sets out the main provisions of the Act. Furthermore, the wallchart sets out when the provisions will come into force. (Download the LEA or schools wallchart.) Hard copies of this wallchart can be obtained from PROLOG, the DfES publications centre, on 0845 602 2260, quoting reference DfES/0676/2002 for the schools wallchart and LEA/0294/2002 for the LEA wallchart.
Power to innovate (sections 1-5)
Any school or LEA which is prevented by any education legislation from implementing an innovative idea for raising standards will be able to apply to the Secretary of State, following consultation with relevant bodies, to vary legislation for a pilot period. Pilots may last for up to three years, with the possibility of extension for up to a further three years.
Earned autonomy (sections 6 -10)
Where schools have demonstrated that they are well led and managed and are achieving high standards, the Act enables them to qualify for greater flexibility in certain areas of the National Curriculum and teachers ' pay and conditions. Regulations will set out the qualifying criteria for this 'earned autonomy '.
School companies (sections 11-13)
The Act allows a group of schools to join together to form a company. This will allow groups of schools to procure goods and services collectively and therefore benefit from economies of scale. Companies may also be established to provide services to other schools.
Grant-making power (sections 14-18)
The Secretary of State 's grant-making powers are simplified and consolidated. Currently the Secretary of State 's power to pay grants to support education and childcare is
The Education Act 2002 received Royal Assent in July. The Act implements the legislative commitments set out in the White paper Schools — Achieving Success. It is a substantial and important piece of legislation intended to raise standards, promote innovation in schools and reform education law. The following summary sets out the main provisions of the Act. Furthermore, the wallchart sets out when the provisions will come into force. (Download the LEA or schools wallchart.) Hard copies of this wallchart can be obtained from PROLOG, the DfES publications centre, on 0845 602 2260, quoting reference DfES/0676/2002 for the schools wallchart and LEA/0294/2002 for the LEA wallchart.
Power to innovate (sections 1-5)
Any school or LEA which is prevented by any education legislation from implementing an innovative idea for raising standards will be able to apply to the Secretary of State, following consultation with relevant bodies, to vary legislation for a pilot period. Pilots may last for up to three years, with the possibility of extension for up to a further three years.
Earned autonomy (sections 6 -10)
Where schools have demonstrated that they are well led and managed and are achieving high standards, the Act enables them to qualify for greater flexibility in certain areas of the National Curriculum and teachers ' pay and conditions. Regulations will set out the qualifying criteria for this 'earned autonomy '.
School companies (sections 11-13)
The Act allows a group of schools to join together to form a company. This will allow groups of schools to procure goods and services collectively and therefore benefit from economies of scale. Companies may also be established to provide services to other schools.
Grant-making power (sections 14-18)
The Secretary of State 's grant-making powers are simplified and consolidated. Currently the Secretary of State 's power to pay grants to support education and childcare is