* Raising the school leaving age: While the Act itself didn't immediately raise it, it paved the way for the eventual increase to 17 (and later 18).
* Establishment of the Office of the Children's Commissioner: This independent body champions the rights of children and young people.
* Framework for school improvement: The Act set out a framework for schools to improve their performance, including greater accountability and inspection through Ofsted.
* Increased parental involvement: It emphasized the role of parents in their children's education and gave them more rights to be involved in school decisions.
* Special educational needs (SEN) reforms: It introduced significant changes to the provision for children with SEN, including the introduction of statements of SEN (later replaced by Education, Health and Care plans – EHCPs).
* Academies: The Act laid the groundwork for the creation of academies, independent state-funded schools that operate outside of local authority control. This was a significant shift towards greater autonomy for schools.
* Faith schools: It addressed issues relating to faith schools, including admissions policies.
* Further education (FE) colleges: The Act also impacted further education, making changes to governance and funding.
It's important to note that the Act has been amended and supplemented by subsequent legislation, and its impact has been felt through a series of policy changes over the years. It's not a single, easily summarized event, but a foundational piece of legislation that reshaped the educational landscape of England and Wales.