2015 · 26 citations · 0 references
LawEducation PolicySpecial EducationDiscriminationEducation LawEqual ProtectionAccess To EducationEqual Educational OpportunityEqual Protection In EducationEquality Of Educational OpportunityNon-discrimination In EducationParental RightsChildren’s Participation RightsEducational Inclusion PoliciesEquality In Education LawEquitable Access To EducationFree Education LegislationSchool Leaving AgeSpecial Educational Needs Participation
The UK has a strong tradition of equality in education dating back to the 1944 Education Act. Laws such as the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010 not only provide citizens with protection against discrimination but also impose duties on public authorities to promote equality and prevent discrimination. Since the Second World War, every child in England and Wales 2 has been entitled to free education between the ages of five and fifteen. 3 In 1972, the school leaving age was raised to 16, and in 2013 and 2015, the “participation age” 4 will rise to 17 and 18 respectively. 5 Parents are not obliged to send their children to school but they have a duty to ensure that children receive an efficient, full time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitudes and any special educational needs they might have. 6