School boards in England and Wales

• raise funds from a rate
• build and run non-denominational schools where existing voluntary provision was inadequate
• subsidise church schools where appropriate
• pay the fees of the poorest children
• if they deemed it necessary, create a by-law making attendance compulsory between ages 5–13 - until the Elementary Education Act 1880 when it became compulsory for all.
• were not to impose any religious education, other than simple Bible reading