School organisation and regulation

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This subtopic explains how schools in England and Wales are established, run and regulated, covering the legal framework for admissions, exclusions, safeguarding, governance, staffing, curriculum, premises and funding, as well as the rules affecting academies, free schools, inspections, intervention, and enforcement.

For practical guidance related to school framework and organisation, see Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Categories of schools

  2. •

    Opening, altering or closing a state school

  3. •

    School governance, and

  4. •

    Ofsted, failing schools

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