Education Act 1944 (Repealed 1.11.1996)

Overview

• The Education Act 1944, also known as the Butler Act, was a landmark legislation in the UK that reformed education.
• It was repealed on 1 November 1996.
• The Act established the structure of the modern education system in England and Wales.

Key Parts and Provisions

Part I: Central Administration

• Minister in Charge of Education: Establishment of a Ministry of Education.
• Transfer of Functions: Property and functions were transferred to the Minister.
• Seal and Acts: Legal provisions regarding the Minister's official seal and acts.

Part II: The Statutory System of Education

• Local Administration: Role of local education authorities.
• Three Stages of the System: Outlined the stages and purposes of statutory education.
• Primary and Secondary Education: Obligation of local authorities to provide schools.
  • Types of Schools: County, voluntary, nursery, and special schools.
  • School Premises: Standards and requirements.
  • Voluntary Schools: Classification and management provisions.
• Compulsory Attendance: Defined school attendance rules and parental obligations.
• Further Education: Roles of local education authorities in further education.

Part III: Independent Schools

• Registration: Procedures for registering independent schools.
• Complaints and Enforcement: Handling complaints and enforcing standards.

Part IV: General Provisions

• Parental Wishes: Education to align with parents' desires.
• Inspection and Research: Powers of inspection and support for research.

Part V: Supplemental

• Regulations and Notices: Procedures for issuing educational regulations.
• Schedules: Detailed administrative and procedural rules.

Schedules

• First Schedule: Details on local administration.
• Second Schedule: Transfer of interests in premises of voluntary schools.
• Third Schedule: Special agreements for voluntary schools.
• Fifth Schedule: Procedures for religious instruction syllabuses.

Relevance and Impact

• The Act laid the groundwork for the current education system structure.
• Introduced compulsory education and set standards for educational provisions.
• Emphasized the importance of local authorities in educational governance.

Additional Resources

• Explore the full Act online
• Print options for the entire Act and specific sections available in PDF format.