Equality Act 2010

Part 1 Sex discrimination

Admission to single-sex schools

1 (1) Section 85(1), so far as relating to sex, does not apply in relation to a single-sex school.

(2) A single-sex school is a school which—

(a) admits pupils of one sex only, or

(b) on the basis of the assumption in sub-paragraph (3), would be taken to admit pupils of one sex only.

(3) That assumption is that pupils of the opposite sex are to be disregarded if—

(a) their admission to the school is exceptional, or

(b) their numbers are comparatively small and their admission is confined to particular courses or classes.

(4) In the case of a school which is a single-sex school by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(b), section 85(2)(a) to (d), so far as relating to sex, does not prohibit confining pupils of the same sex to particular courses or classes.

Single-sex boarding at schools

2 (1) Section 85(1), so far as relating to sex, does not apply in relation to admission as a boarder to a school to which this paragraph applies.

(2) Section 85(2)(a) to (d), so far as relating to sex, does not apply in relation to boarding facilities at a school to which this paragraph applies.

(3) This paragraph applies to a school (other than a single-sex school) which has some pupils as boarders and others as non-boarders and which—

(a) admits as boarders pupils of one sex only, or

(b) on the basis of the assumption in sub-paragraph (4), would be taken to admit as boarders pupils of one sex only.

(4) That assumption is that pupils of the opposite sex admitted as boarders are to be disregarded if their numbers are small compared to the numbers of other pupils admitted as boarders.

Single-sex schools turning co-educational

3 (1) If the responsible body of a single-sex school decides to alter its admissions arrangements so that the school will cease to be a single-sex school, the body may apply for a transitional exemption order in relation to the school.

(2) If the responsible body of a school to which paragraph 2 applies decides to alter its admissions arrangements so that the school will cease to be one to which that paragraph applies, the body may apply for a transitional exemption order in relation to the school.

(3) A transitional exemption order in relation to a school is an order which, during the period specified in the order as the transitional period, authorises—

(a) sex discrimination by the responsible body of the school in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is offered admission as a pupil;

(b) the responsible body, in the circumstances specified in the order, not to admit a person as a pupil because of the person’s sex.

(4) Paragraph 4 applies in relation to the making of transitional exemption orders.

(5) The responsible body of a school does not contravene this Act, so far as relating to sex discrimination, if—

(a) in accordance with a transitional exemption order, or

(b) pending the determination of an application for a transitional exemption order in relation to the school,

it does not admit a person as a pupil because of the person’s sex.

4 (1) In the case of a maintained school within the meaning given by section 32 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, a transitional exemption order may be made in accordance with such provision as is made in regulations under section 21 of that Act (orders made by local authority or adjudicator in relation to schools in England).

(2) In the case of a school in Wales maintained by a local authority, a transitional exemption order may be made in accordance with paragraph 22 of Schedule 6, or paragraph 17 of Schedule 7, to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (orders made by Welsh Ministers).

(3) In the case of a school in Scotland managed by an education authority or in respect of which the managers are for the time being receiving grants under section 73(c) or (d) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980—

(a) the responsible body may submit to the Scottish Ministers an application for the making of a transitional exemption order, and

(b) the Scottish Ministers may make the order.

(4) Where, under section 113A of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, the Learning and Skills Council for England make proposals to the Secretary of State for an alteration in the admissions arrangements of a single-sex school or a school to which paragraph 2 applies—

(a) the making of the proposals is to be treated as an application to the Secretary of State for the making of a transitional exemption order, and

(b) the Secretary of State may make the order.

(5) Where proposals are made to the Welsh Ministers under section 113A of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 for an alteration in the admissions arrangements of a single-sex school or a school to which paragraph 2 applies—

(a) the making of the proposals is to be treated as an application to the Welsh Ministers for the making of a transitional exemption order, and

(b) the Welsh Ministers may make the order.

(6) In the case of a school in England or Wales not coming within sub-paragraph (1), (2), (4) or (5) or an independent school in Scotland—

(a) the responsible body may submit to the Commission an application for the making of a transitional exemption order, and

(b) the Commission may make the order.

(7) An application under sub-paragraph (6) must specify—

(a) the period proposed by the responsible body as the transitional period to be specified in the order,

(b) the stages within that period by which the body proposes to move to the position where section 85(1)(a) and (c), so far as relating to sex, is complied with, and

(c) any other matters relevant to the terms and operation of the order applied for.

(8) The Commission must not make an order on an application under sub-paragraph (6) unless satisfied that the terms of the application are reasonable, having regard to—

(a) the nature of the school’s premises,

(b) the accommodation, equipment and facilities available, and

(c) the responsible body’s financial resources.