Education Other Than at School – EOTAS

EOTAS stands for Education Otherwise than at School. All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to a full-time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs they may have.

The Council has a duty under section 436A of the Education Act 1996 to identify children who are of compulsory school age but are not registered pupils at a school, and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school.

The Council has a duty under section 19(1) if the Education Act 1996 to make arrangements to ensure that all children of compulsory school age in Sutton who, by reason of illness, exclusion or otherwise, would not otherwise receive a suitable education in a school are in receipt of such.

Where a child has an education health and care plan, under section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014, the Council may arrange for any special educational provision to be made otherwise than in a school if satisfied that it would be inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school.

Cognus delivers an EOTAS Service that identifies, makes arrangements for, and monitors those children who are receiving an education other than at school, thus ensuring that they are in receipt of a suitable education.

The service offer will include:

  • Making arrangements to establish the identity of those children who are not receiving a suitable education at school
  • Working closely with a range of partners to make arrangements for the provision of a suitable education
  • Keeping a record of children identified as receiving an education other than at school and monitoring their progress

‘suitable education’ is defined by the Department for Education as, “efficient education suitable to the age, ability, aptitude and to any special educational needs“, the child (or young person) may have.

For more information about EOTAS, please contact the Inclusion Team on: Inclusion@Cognus.org.uk Tel: 020 8323 0450