§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the use of corporal punishment in independent schools is banned under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. [HL3710]
§ Baroness BlackstoneFrom September 1999, Section 131 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 outlawed corporal punishment for all pupils in maintained and independent schools, and for children receiving nursery education.
In no circumstances, under English law, is it therefore legal for independent schools to use corporal punishment, even where parents have given their consent.