Local education authorities (LEAs) were local councils in England that are responsible for education within their jurisdiction. The term was used to identify which council (district or county) is locally responsible for education in a system with several layers of local government. Local education authorities were not usually ad hoc or standalone authorities, although the former Inner London Education Authority was one example of this. Responsible local authority England has several tiers of local government and the relevant local authority varies. Within Greater London the 32 London borough councils and the Common Council of the City of London are the local authorities responsible for education; in the metropolitan counties it is the 36 metropolitan borough councils; and in the non-metropolitan counties it is the 27 county councils or, where there is no county council, the councils of the 55 unitary authorities. The Council of the Isles of Scilly is an education authority. Since the Children Act 2004 each local education authority is also a children's services authority and responsibility for both functions is held by the director of children's services. There are 152 local education authorities in England. Functions Local education authorities had some responsibility for all state schools in their area. They are responsible for distribution and monitoring of funding for the schools They are responsible for co-ordination of admissions, including allocation of the number of places available at each school They are the direct employers of all staff in community and VC schools They have a responsibility for the educational achievement of looked-after children, i.e. children in their care They have attendance and advisory rights in relation to the employment of teachers, and in relation to the dismissal of any staff They are the owners of school land and premises in community schools. Until recently, local education authorities were responsible for the funding of students in higher education (for example undergraduate courses and PGCE) whose permanent address is in their area, regardless of the place of study. Based on an assessment of individual circumstances they offer grants or access to student loans through the Student Loans Company. History Creation The term was introduced by the Education Act 1902 (2 Edw.7, c. 42). The Act designated each local authority; either county council and county borough council; would set up a committee known as a local education authority (LEA). The councils took over the powers and responsibilities of the school