Local authorities must ensure continuous improvement in the quality of school education, including early learning and childcare, and improve standards across their schools.

Councils must make sure that education helps every child grow and reach their full potential.

The council must ensure that any young person who is still a school pupil receives an education.

Councils must make sure every pupil for whom they are responsible receives at least the prescribed number of learning hours each school year.

Local authorities must consult parents of children under school age at least every two years on ELC provision, and publish a delivery plan informed by their views.

Councils must make adequate and efficient provision for the additional support required for each pupil with additional support needs.

Councils must make sure all children and young people have fair chances to succeed in education, no matter their background.

Councils must support the preservation and promotion of the Gaelic language.

Local authorities must provide free school meals to eligible children, including those in schools and those accessing their statutory funded early learning and childcare (ELC) entitlement.

Councils must make sure schools promote healthy lifestyles and provide food and drink that meet strict nutritional standards.

Councils must ensure that every seat in vehicles used for school transport has a seat belt.

The council has the power to provide school crossing patrols to help children cross roads safely on their way to and from school.

Councils must administer EMA on behalf of Scottish Government.

Councils must carry out consultation in relation to certain changes to schools.

Councils are required to give advice and information reasonably requested by a Parent Council for a school in its area.

Councils and schools must share key information with Skills Development Scotland, the national careers service.

Councils must ensure that all school transport drivers and escorts who work directly with children are members of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

Councils must prepare an accessibility strategy for pupils with disabilities in relation to any school for which it is responsible, ensuring adequate resources for implementing the strategy.

If a child can’t go to school—because of illness, mental health issues, or other serious circumstances—the council still has a responsibility to make sure they get an education.

Councils must process and issue child work permits to make sure that any child under school-leaving age who wants to work has permission to do so safely and legally.

Councils must process and issue child performance licences to make sure children under school-leaving age can take part in performances, modelling, or sporting activities safely and legally.

Councils must ensure the effective administration of all education off-site visits.

Councils must manage the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme by registering eligible childcare settings, providing upfront funding, and supporting them to deliver daily portions of milk (or approved alternatives) and healthy snacks to pre-school children.

Councils must support children and young people in accessing medical and dental care.

Councils must ensure that children and young people—especially those in schools—have access to proper medical and dental care.

Local authorities must promote personal hygiene among pupils and may authorise a medical officer to carry out cleanliness checks when necessary.

Councils must help schools create a positive environment that supports the mental health and wellbeing of all pupils.

Councils must make sure schools follow strong safeguarding and child protection policies to keep children safe from harm.

Councils are expected to support schools in using digital technology to improve learning and teaching.

Schools and councils must help children and young people move smoothly from one stage of education to the next.

Councils must regularly check how well schools are doing and work to make education better for all pupils.

Councils must ensure that all schools provide religious education and observance as part of the curriculum.

Councils must ensure that instrumental music tuition is available to pupils as part of a broad and balanced education.

Councils must ensure that school buildings are safe, clean, and fit for learning.

Councils must provide extra support to children and young people who are looked after.

Councils must support schools in giving children and young people meaningful opportunities to share their views and influence decisions that affect their education and school life.

Councils must ensure that children and young people placed in secure accommodation receive a high-quality education that meets their individual needs.

Councils must support families who choose to educate their children at home by providing clear information, fair processes, and respectful communication.

Councils must consider and decide on requests from parents or guardians who want their child to attend a particular school.

Councils are responsible for arranging free transport for pupils who qualify, such as those living beyond a set distance from school or with additional support needs.

Councils must keep detailed records on pupils, including personal details, attendance, attainment, and support needs.

Councils gather and analyse data on pupil numbers, demographics, attainment, and staffing levels.

Councils must make sure that pupils in their schools have access to suitable facilities for social, cultural and recreational activities, as well as for physical education and training.

Councils must decide how much public school accommodation is needed in their area, considering all schools, including private and independent schools.

Councils must manage denominational schools including appointing a supervisor of religious instruction for each denominational school.

Councils must submit specific proposals concerning denominational schools to the Secretary of State for approval before implementation.

Councils must supply pupils with the necessary resources to fully benefit from the education provided.

Councils may take measures to reduce the risk of accidents for pupils travelling to or from schools or other educational establishments under its management.

Councils must ensure that the premises and equipment of all educational establishments under its management meet the standards and requirements applicable to those establishments.

Councils may acquire land—whether within or outside their area—by purchase, lease, excambion (exchange), or donation.

Councils can provide, in or in connection with any public school or other educational establishment under its management, school education, further education, and other services.

If a child is enrolled in a public school but is not attending regularly, and the council believes the parent has no good reason, the council must send the parent a formal notice.

If a child of school age is not attending any local public school and the council thinks the parent is not providing proper education at home, the council can request information about the child’s education. If the parent cannot show that suitable education is being provided, the council must issue an Attendance Order.

If a child or young person is provided with residential accommodation so they can attend school, the council (education authority) must make sure the child’s welfare is protected and promoted.

If a council learns that a pupil cannot fully benefit from education because their clothing is inadequate or unsuitable, the council must take action.

The council must make sure there are facilities at school for pupils to eat or drink food they bring from home.

Councils can allow a child over the age of 14 to be exempt from attending school if there are circumstances at home that would make attendance cause exceptional hardship.

Councils can establish, maintain, and manage facilities that support recreation, physical activity, and learning outside the classroom.

If a child is excluded from a school or withdrawn from it, the local council must make sure the child continues to receive an education as soon as possible.

The council must make sure pupils have all the basic items they need to learn effectively.

Councils must actively work to raise the standard of education across all schools they manage.

Councils must publish an annual plan that sets out what the education service aims to achieve over the year and then reporting on progress.

Defining standards of performance and reviewing schools means setting clear expectations for what good education looks like and checking how well schools meet those expectations.

Delegating the preparation of school improvement plans to headteachers means giving headteachers the responsibility to create a plan that sets out how their school will improve learning and performance.

Councils must have regard to advice from the Chief Medical Officer (or a person designated by Scottish Ministers) and any guidance issued by Ministers about protecting public health and ensuring continuity of education.

Councils must ensure that period products are available free of charge to anyone who needs them and is either a pupil at a school managed by the council or a student at a further or higher education institution it manages.

Councils must ensure pupils and applicants for admission are treated fairly and not discriminated against because of a protected characteristic.

Councils must have due regard to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism by taking reasonable steps to identify and reduce risks that could lead individuals toward extremist views or actions.

Local authorities may provide early learning and childcare beyond the statutory entitlement.

Local authorities may enter into arrangements with any external providers to deliver the funded early learning and childcare entitlement on their behalf.

Where ELC is provided outwith the statutory entitlement, local authorities may charge fees, provided charges are transparent and fair.

Local authorities must ensure funded early learning and childcare is delivered in sessions of no more than 10 hours per day and over at least 38 weeks each year.

In limited circumstances, local authorities have discretion not to apply the funded early learning and childcare entitlement for certain looked after 2‑year‑olds.

Local authorities must consult at least every two years with representatives of parents of children under 5 who are not in school, including those in need and those who are not, on how care should be made available.

Local authorities must consult at least every two years with representatives of parents of school‑age children, including those in need and those who are not, on how appropriate care should be provided.

Local authorities must ensure that the funded early learning and childcare entitlement is made available to every eligible pre‑school child who resides in their area.

Local authorities must determine which children are eligible for funded ELC in line with statutory criteria.

Local authorities must make available 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year, or a pro‑rata amount for part‑year eligibility, for each eligible child.

Local authorities must ensure that funded ELC is delivered free of charge, including when delivered by private, third sector or childminding providers.

Local authorities must have regard to the desirability of flexibility and parental choice when deciding how ELC is delivered.

Local authorities must identify, provide for and review additional support needs for eligible children accessing ELC.

Local authorities must provide appropriate care, whether on a regular or non‑regular basis, for children in need who are under the age of 5 and not yet attending school.