SI 2026/942 - The Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026

S TAT U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 942 EDUCATION, ENGLAND The Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations)

Order 2026 Made - - - - 28th August 2026 Coming into force - - 29th August 2026 The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 69(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998(a) as applied in relation to independent schools by section 124B(1) and (2)(b) of that Act.

The Secretary of State has followed the procedure specified in the Religious Character of Schools (Designation Procedure) (Independent Schools) (England) Regulations 2003(c).

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (Amendment and Revocations) Order 2026 and comes into force on 29th August 2026.

(2) This Order extends to England and Wales.

Amendment of the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014

2. In the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014(d), in the entry relating to Ahavas Torah Boys Academy M7 4QX in column 1, for “M7 4QX” substitute “M7 3NJ”.

Revocations

3. The following provisions are revoked—

(a) 1998 c. 31. Section 69(3) has been amended by paragraph 35 of Schedule 2 to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc. 4). By virtue of S.I. 1999/672, the powers conferred by these provisions are exercisable by the Secretary of State only in relation to England.

(b) Section 124B was inserted by S.I. 2003/2037. Subsections 124B(1) and (2) have been amended by S.I. 2012/976 and paragraph 37 of Schedule 2 to the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 4).

(c) S.I. 2003/2314, amended by S.I. 2004/2262.

(d) S.I. 2014/1024.(a) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2003(a), the entry relating to Our Lady's Convent School, LE11 2DT;

(b) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.3) Order 2003(b), the entry relating to Hereford Catherdral Junior School, HR1 2NW;

(c) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2004(c), the entry relating to Bedstone College, SY7 0BG;

(d) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No.6) Order 2004(d), the entry relating to Maidwell Hall, NN6 9JG;

(e) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2005(e), the entry relating to Milbourne Lodge Junior School, KT10 9EA;

(f) in the Schedule to the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) (No. 3) Order 2012(f), the entries relating to—

(i) Focus School - Long Eaton Campus NG10 4HR, and

(ii) Trinity Christian School, RG2 7AG;

(g) in the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools)

(England) Order 2023(g), article 3(1)(e).

Signed on behalf of the Secretary of State Kate Dixon Director 28th August 2026 Department for Education

(a) S.I. 2003/3108, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(b) S.I. 2003/3328, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(c) S.I. 2004/72, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(d) S.I. 2004/2986, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(e) S.I. 2005/1195, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(f) S.I. 2012/3174, to which there are amendments not relevant to this Order.

(g) S.I. 2023/339.

2EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order) This Order amends the entry in the Designation of Schools Having a Religious Character (Independent Schools) (England) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1024) that relates to Ahavas Torah Boys Academy to reflect the changes to the school’s postcode.

This Order revokes the instruments listed in article 3 to the extent set out in that article. The revocations relate to schools that have closed.

Designation as a school with religious character permits the school to take account of certain religious or denominational considerations, such as when making specified employment decisions relating to teaching staff under sections 58 to 60 and 124AA of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen. © Crown Copyright 2026 Printed and published in the UK by The Stationery Office Limited under the authority and superintendence of Saul Nassé, Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office and King’s Printer of Acts of Parliament.

3£6.40

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2026/942