Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Independent Educational Provision in England (Provision of Information) and Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) and Independent School Standards (Amendment) Regulations 2018 and come into force on 1st September 2018.

Application

2.-(1) Regulations 10 and 11 apply in relation to England only.

(2) The remainder of these Regulations apply to-

(a)independent schools in England; and

(b)alternative provision Academies in England that are not independent schools,

except for a school mentioned in paragraph (3).

(3) A school mentioned in this paragraph is one which-

(a)was established as a city technology college or a city college for the technology of the arts before 26th July 2002 by an agreement under section 482 of the 1996 Act(3); and

(b)is not known as an Academy(4).

(4) Regulations 5, 6 and 7 and paragraph 3(6) to (14) and (17) and (18) of the Schedule do not apply to Academies.

Interpretation

3.  In these Regulations-

"the 1996 Act" means the Education Act 1996;

"the 2008 Act" means the Education and Skills Act 2008;

"Academy" has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the 1996 Act (general interpretation)(5);

"accuracy statement" means a statement that, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person making it, the information contained in the document to which the statement relates is accurate;

"alternative provision Academy" has the meaning given by section 1C of the Academies Act 2010 (alternative provision Academies)(6);

"application" means an application under section 98(1) of the 2008 Act (applications for registration);

"independent school" has the meaning given by section 463 of the 1996 Act (meaning of "independent school")(7);

"register"-

"registered school" means a school that is registered within the meaning given by section 138(1) of the 2008 Act; and

"school" means-

Application for registration

4.  An application to enter an institution in the register-

(a)must-

(i)be in writing;

(ii)state the first date on which the school intends to admit students;

(iii)contain the information specified in Part 2 of the Schedule; and

(iv)contain an accuracy statement made by the proprietor; and

(b)may be made by electronic communication(10).

Initial return

5.-(1) If requested to do so by the Secretary of State, the proprietor of a registered school must provide the Secretary of State with an initial return for the school.

(2) An initial return is a written document which-

(a)is to be made up to-

(i)the date specified in the request by the Secretary of State, or

(ii)where no such date is specified, the date the return is provided;

(b)must contain the information specified in Part 3 of the Schedule;

(c)must contain an accuracy statement made by the proprietor or a person authorised by the proprietor to make the statement on the proprietor's behalf; and

(d)may be made by electronic communication.

(3) An initial return must be provided within the period of three months beginning with-

(a)the admission date; or

(b)where the Secretary of State's request for the initial return is made after the admission date, the date of the request.

(4) The "admission date" is the first date on which-

(a)five or more students are admitted to the school, if the school is an independent school by virtue of section 463(1)(a) of the 1996 Act; or

(b)one student is admitted to the school, if the school is an independent school by virtue of section 463(1)(b) of that Act.

Annual return

6.-(1) If requested to do so by the Secretary of State, the proprietor of a registered school must provide the Secretary of State with an annual return for the school.

(2) An annual return is a written document which-

(a)is to be made up to-

(i)the date specified in the request by the Secretary of State, or

(ii)where no such date is specified, the date the return is provided;

(b)must contain the information specified in Part 4 of the Schedule;

(c)must contain an accuracy statement made by the proprietor or a person authorised by the proprietor to make the statement on the proprietor's behalf; and

(d)may be made by electronic communication.

(3) An annual return must be provided within one month of the date specified by the Secretary of State.

Removal of a school from the register

7.-(1) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the proprietor of a school has failed to comply with a requirement of regulation 5 or 6, the Secretary of State may remove the school from the register.

(2) If the Secretary of State makes a decision under paragraph (1) to remove a school from the register, the Secretary of State must notify the proprietor of the school of the decision.

(3) A decision under paragraph (1) to remove a school from the register does not have effect-

(a)during the period in which an appeal may be brought under section 124 of the 2008 Act (appeal by proprietor against decision of Secretary of State to deregister) against the decision; and

(b)where such an appeal has been brought, until the appeal has been determined, withdrawn or otherwise disposed of.

Revocation and saving

8.-(1) The Education (Independent Educational Provision in England) (Provision of Information) Regulations 2010(11) ("the 2010 Regulations") are revoked.

(2) Where, before the coming into force of these Regulations-

(a)an initial return is requested by the Secretary of State under regulation 4 of the 2010 Regulations; or

(b)an annual return is requested by the Secretary of State under regulation 5 of the 2010 Regulations,

the 2010 Regulations continue to have effect in relation to that return, any decision of the Secretary of the State to remove from the register the school in relation to which the return is requested and any appeal against that decision.

Review

9.-(1) The Secretary of State must from time to time-

(a)carry out a review of the regulatory provision contained in these Regulations except for that contained in regulation 10 and 11, and

(b)publish a report setting out the conclusions of the review.

(2) The first report must be published before 1st September 2023.

(3) Subsequent reports must be published at intervals not exceeding five years.

(4) Section 30(4) of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015(12) requires that a report published under this regulation must, in particular-

(a)set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory provision referred to in paragraph (1)(a);

(b)assess the extent to which those objectives are achieved;

(c)assess whether those objectives remain appropriate; and

(d)if those objectives remain appropriate, assess the extent to which they could be achieved in another way which involves less onerous regulatory provision.

(5) In this regulation, "regulatory provision" has the same meaning as in sections 28 to 32 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (see section 32 of that Act).

Amendments to the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015

10.-(1) The Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015(13) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2-

(a)in the definition of "National Minimum Standards"(14)-

(i)for "November 2012" substitute "April 2015"; and

(ii)omit "and in a case where a non-maintained special school" to the end; and

(b)in the appropriate places insert-

""children's home" has the meaning given in section 1 of the Care Standards Act 2000(15)"; and

""Quality Standards" means the statement published in April 2015 by the Secretary of State under section 23 of the Care Standards Act 2000 relating to children's homes(16)".

(3) In the Schedule-

(a)in paragraph 3(a)-

(i)from "where appropriate" to the end becomes paragraph (i);

(ii)after paragraph (i) insert-

"(ii)where the school is also a children's home, the Quality Standards, and";

(b)in paragraph 4(6) and 5(6), after "National Minimum Standards" insert "and, where the school is also a children's home, the Quality Standards,"; and

(c)in paragraph 14(2) for "with National Minimum Standards" to the end substitute-

"with-

(a)National Minimum Standards in relation to-

(i)safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and welfare of such pupils; and

(ii)adequate and suitable deployment of staff; and

(b)where the school is also a children's home the Quality Standards.".

Amendment to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014

11.  In the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014(17), in the Schedule, in paragraph 19(2)(a)(i)-

(a)at the end of paragraph (bb) omit "and";

(b)after paragraph (cc) insert-

"(dd)that, where that person is one for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person's suitability to work in a school, it or another employment business has obtained such further checks as appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; and".

Regulations 4, 5 and 6

SCHEDULE

PART 1Introductory

1.-(1) In this Schedule-

"the relevant date"-

"special educational needs" has the meaning given by section 20 of the Children and Families Act 2014(18);

"special educational provision" has the meaning given by section 21 of the Children and Families Act 2014;

"year group", in relation to a school, means-

(2) Any reference in this Schedule to a person employed at school is a reference to a person-

(a)providing education at the school;

(b)taking part in the management of the school; or

(c)carrying on work which-

(i)brings the person regularly into contact with children(20) who are students at the school; and

(ii)is carried out at the request of or with the consent of the proprietor of the school (whether or not under a contract).

PART 2Information required in an application

2.-(1) If the proprietor(21) is an individual-

(a)the individual's full name and any previous names by which the individual has been known; and

(b)the individual's usual residential address, telephone number, email address (if the individual has one), date of birth and national insurance number (if the individual has been allocated one).

(2) If the proprietor is a body of persons corporate or unincorporate-

(a)its name;

(b)the address, telephone number and email address (if the office has one) of its registered or principal office; and

(c)in relation to each member of the body of persons, including the chair of the body-

(i)the person's full name and any previous names by which the person has been known; and

(ii)the person's usual residential address, date of birth and national insurance number.

(3) The name and address of the school, its telephone number and its email address (if it has one).

(4) The name of the primary contact at the school and that person's telephone number and email address (if the person has one).

(5) In relation to the proprietor or, if the proprietor is a body of persons corporate or incorporate, the chair of the body-

(a)a statement of the proprietor's or, as the case may be, the chair's employment history for the period of five years prior to the date on which the initial return is made containing, for each post-

(i)the name of the institution at which the post was held; and

(ii)the title of the post held;

(b)a photograph which is a current likeness of the proprietor or, as the case may be, the chair.

3.-(1) A statement that the school is either-

(a)an independent school; or

(b)an alternative provision Academy that is not an independent educational institution.

(2) The age range of students.

(3) The maximum number of students.

(4) Whether the school is for male students or female students or both.

(5) Whether the school provides accommodation for students or makes arrangements for the provision of such accommodation and, if so, the number of beds available for boarding students.

(6) Whether the school is specially organised to make special educational provision for students with special educational needs.

(7) If the school is within sub-paragraph (6), the type or types of special educational needs, if any, for which the school is specially organised to make special educational provision.

(8) A plan showing the layout of the school premises and any accommodation provided.

(9) Any curriculum plans, schemes of work and student assessment procedures required to be produced by or under any enactment.

(10) Any written policy on the curriculum required to be produced by or under any enactment.

(11) Any written policy on behaviour required to be produced by or under any enactment.

(12) Particulars of arrangements required by or under any enactment to-

(a)safeguard and promote the welfare of students at the school;

(b)ensure that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy; and

(c)ensure that the relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

(13) Any complaints procedure required to be produced by or under any enactment.

(14) Whether the proprietor intends to provide any child with accommodation at the school (or elsewhere pursuant to arrangements made by the proprietor) for more than 295 days in any year.

(15) The religious ethos of the school, if any.

(16) Whether the premises of the school, including any accommodation provided, are at two or more separate locations, and if so, the address of each of those locations.

(17) If the school is a charity, or is conducted by a charity, the name of the charity and the number under which it is registered.

(18) Whether the school is an establishment in respect of which a person is registered under section 11 of the Care Standards Act 2000(22), and if so, the registration number required to be recorded in the register under paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 to the Care Standards Act 2000 (Registration) (England) Regulations 2010.

PART 3Information required in an initial return

4.-(1) The number of students in each year group.

(2) If the school provides accommodation, or makes arrangements for the provision of accommodation-

(a)the number of beds available for boarding students; and

(b)the number of boarding students.

(3) If the school also provides part-time education-

(a)the number of students in each year group who receive part-time education; and

(b)the number of students in each year group who receive full-time education.

(4) If the school is co-educational, the numbers required by sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) are to be given separately for male and female students.

5.-(1) The number of students at the school for whom a local authority maintain-

(a)a statement of special educational needs pursuant to section 324 of the 1996 Act(23); or

(b)an education, health and care plan under section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014(24).

(2) The number of students at the school who-

(a)are not within sub-paragraph (1); but

(b)have been identified as having special educational needs.

6.  The number of students at the school who are looked after by a local authority (within the meaning given by section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989(25) or, as the case may be, section 74(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014(26).

7.-(1) In relation to teachers employed at the school-

(a)the number of full-time teachers;

(b)the number of part-time teachers; and

(c)the total number of hours a week normally worked by part-time teachers in term time.

(2) The numbers required by sub-paragraph (1) are to be given separately for male and female teachers.

8.-(1) In relation to every person employed at the school-

(a)the person's full name and any previous names by which the person has been known; and

(b)the capacity in which the person is employed.

(2) In relation to every teacher employed at the school, a statement as to whether the teacher is the head teacher, a full-time teacher or a part-time teacher.

9.-(1) The amount of annual tuition and other fees (excluding fees for accommodation) payable in respect of a student at the school as a condition of the student's attendance.

(2) In the case of a school which provides accommodation for students, or makes arrangements for the provision of accommodation, the amount of annual fees payable in respect of a boarding student for accommodation.

10.  Whether the premises of the school, including any accommodation provided, are at two or more separate locations, and if so, the address of each of those locations.

PART 4Information required in an annual return

11.  The information specified in Parts 2 and 3 of this Schedule with the exception of that in paragraphs 2(2)(c) and (5), 3(1) to (4) and (6) to (16), 8 and 10.

12.  If the proprietor is a body of persons corporate or unincorporate the name and address of the chair of the body.

13.  The name of the head teacher.

14.-(1) In relation to every person who has begun or ceased employment at the school since the relevant date-

(a)the person's full name and any previous names by which the person has been known; and

(b)the capacity in which the person is or was employed.

(2) In relation to every teacher who has-

(a)begun employment at the school since the relevant date, a statement as to whether, on the date to which the return is made up, the teacher is the head teacher, a full-time teacher or a part-time teacher;

(b)ceased employment at the school since the relevant date, a statement as to whether, at the time the teacher ceased employment, the teacher was the head teacher, a full-time teacher or a part-time teacher.

15.-(1) The number of students attending the school in each relevant year for whom accommodation was provided at the school (or elsewhere pursuant to arrangements made by the proprietor) for more than 295 days in that year.

(2) A relevant year is-

(a)in the case of the first annual return-

(i)the period of one year ending on the day before the date to which the return is made up; and

(ii)any previous years where the number is available;

(b)in any other case-

(i)the period of one year ending on the day before the date to which the return is made up; and

(ii)the two years immediately before that.

16.-(1) The number of students in each year group of students aged 15, 16, 17 and 18 years who are pursuing courses for examinations.

(2) The number of students in each year group of students aged 15, 16, 17 and 18 years who have completed courses for an examination in a qualification determined by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation(27) as a level 3 qualification(28) but who remain at the school for a purpose other than for pursuing a further course of that nature.

(3) The number of students in each year group of students aged 15, 16, 17 and 18 years (except for those within sub-paragraph (2)) who attend the school for a purpose other than pursuing courses for an examination mentioned in sub-paragraph (2).

(4) The numbers required by sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) are to be given separately for male and female students.

17.  If the school provides accommodation for students or makes arrangements for the provision of such accommodation, the number of boarding students.

18.  If a change has occurred in the premises of, or accommodation provided at, the school since the relevant date, particulars of the change including the addresses of any new location at which accommodation is provided.

19.  If a change has occurred since the relevant date in the membership of a body of persons named as the proprietor in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, for any new member, the information required by paragraph 2(2)(c) of this Schedule.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations replace the Education (Independent Educational Provision in England) (Provision of Information) Regulations 2010 ("the 2010 Regulations") and in so doing set out the requirements for an application for registration, an initial return and an annual return.

These Regulations amend (at regulation 10) the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015 to reflect the updating of the National Minimum Standards and the Quality Standard for children's homes.

These Regulations also amend (at regulation 11) the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 to require sufficient checks of supply staff who live, or have lived, outside the United Kingdom to be undertaken. This requirement already exists for other members of school staff.

Some of the main differences between these Regulation and the 2010 Regulations they replace are set out as follows.

Regulation 5(2)(a) requires an initial return to be made up to the date specified by the Secretary of State. This requirement already exists for annual returns.

In addition to the information previously required of various individuals and bodies, email addresses and, in the case of individuals, national insurance numbers are also required under these regulations.

Paragraph 2(5) of the Schedule requires a statement of the proprietor's (or chair's where the proprietor is a body of persons) employment history for the previous five years and a photograph of that person (but not for an annual return).

Paragraph 3(5) of the Schedule requires the number of beds available for boarding students to be provided (but not for an annual return).

Paragraph 3(18) of the Schedule requires whether the school is registered as a children's home, and, if so, the registration number, to be provided.

Paragraph 4(2)(a) of the Schedule requires the number of beds available for boarding students to be provided.

Paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Schedule requires the number of students for whom a local authority maintain a statement of special educational needs to be provided.

Paragraph 12 of the Schedule requires, where the proprietor is a body of persons, the name and address of the chair of the body to be provided.

Paragraph 13 of the Schedule requires the name of the head teacher to be provided.

Regulation 8 revokes the 2010 Regulations but saves them to apply in relation to initial and annual returns requested before the coming into force of these Regulations.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the business, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.