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Education Reform Act 1988

The Education Reform Act 1988 is legislation that introduced multiple changes to the education system in England and Wales, including the introduction of Key Stages and the National Curriculum. It replaced many rules and structures that had been in place since the 'Butler' Education Act 1944.[1]

Long title

An Act to amend the law relating to education.

1988 c. 40

Whole act England and Wales; ss. 131, 134, 202-205, 207, 214-216, 231, 232, 235-236 and 238 and Sch. 8 and 11 Scotland; ss. 208 and 217(1) Northern Ireland; amendments of legislation which extends to Northern Ireland and Scotland also extend there

29 July 1988

Various dates from 29 July 1988 to 1 August 1992

Further and Higher Education Act 1992, Education Act 1996

was abolished for academics appointed on or after 20 November 1987.[2]

Academic tenure

An element of choice was introduced, where parents could specify which school was their preferred choice.

(CTCs) were introduced. This part of the Act allowed new more autonomous schools to be taken out of the direct financial control of local authorities. Financial control would be handed to the head teacher and governors of a school. There was also a requirement for partial private funding. There were only fifteen schools that were eventually set up. The successor to this programme was the establishment of academies.

City Technology Colleges

Controls on the use of the word 'degree' were introduced with respect to UK bodies.

(GMS) were introduced. Primary and secondary schools could, under this provision, remove themselves fully from their respective local education authorities and would be completely funded by central government. Secondary schools also had limited selection powers at the age of eleven.

Grant-maintained schools

'' (KS) were introduced in schools. At each key stage a number of educational objectives were to be achieved.

Key Stages

(LMS) was introduced. This part of the Act allowed all schools to be taken out of the direct financial control of local authorities. Financial control would be handed to the head teacher and governors of a school. For further education colleges, the greater autonomy brought in by the 1988 Act was extended by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to become complete independence of local authority control, as colleges were 'incorporated'.

Local management of schools

The (NC) was introduced.

National Curriculum

The was abolished with effect from 1 April 1990 and its functions transferred to the inner London Boroughs.

Inner London Education Authority

The main provisions of the Education Reform Act are as follows:

Use of the word 'degree'[edit]

The Act uses a common technique in UK legislation in that it makes it illegal to offer or advertise any qualification that appears to be, or might be mistaken for, a UK degree.


This restriction is then removed in respect of qualifications from bodies on a list maintained by statutory instrument.

Religion[edit]

The act required "broadly Christian" acts of worship in schools. The National Muslim Education Council objected and requested that the wording to be changed to "the worship of the one supreme God".[3]


This requirement was built upon in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.