§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the statutory provisions governing the position of parents whose children do not attend school because they are permanently excluded.
§ Mr. ForthUnder section 36 of the Education Act 1944, parents of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring that they receive education, whether by attendance at school or otherwise. The fact that a pupil has been permanently excluded does not release parents from this obligation. Failure to comply can lead to prosecution under section 40 of the 1944 Act. Early application should therefore be made to a neighbouring school or, if necessary, arrangements made for the child to be educated otherwise than at school, for example, in a unit. The Government have announced their intention to place local education authorities under a duty to provide education otherwise than at school where necessary to meet a pupil's individual needs: amendments to the Education Bill will be tabled shortly.