Catalogue description Board of Education: Elementary Education, Extra-District Children: Local Education Authority Files

In county and county borough order for England and Wales.

Sections 49-51 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, provided a means whereby, if children living in one district attended schools situated in another, the former district might be compelled to contribute towards the expenses of the latter. These sections were later repealed on the assumption that the difficulties relating to children living on the borders would largely disappear in view of the greatly increased size of the areas of authorities responsible for elementary education under the provisions of the Education Act, 1902.

Section 52 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, which permitted voluntary arrangements to be made between authorities was, however, retained and the Board of Education's Circular 516 (1904) urged authorities to reach agreements for combination and to make suitable financial adjustment in respect of the education of children variously described as 'extra-district', 'border', 'out-county' or 'out-boundary' children.

Section 1 of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1911, re-enacted as Section 128, Education Act, 1921, gave the Board of Education power to make Contributory Orders in respect of 'extra-district' children receiving education in public elementary schools outside the area in which they resided. The board was reluctant to exercise this power and unresolved disputes between authorities were first subjected to a Public Inquiry if agreement could not be obtained on the basis of contributions proposed in the Board's Circular 1346 [1924] Education (Institution Children) Act, 1923. Section 128, Education Act, 1921, was replaced by Section 106, Education Act, 1944.