(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a child without the written permission of the Chief Education Officer shall not be admitted as a student to a public secondary school or assisted secondary school before the child has reached the age prescribed in an order made by the Minister and published in the Gazette.
(2) A child below the age prescribed under subsection (1) may be admitted to a secondary school on the written approval of the Chief Education Officer on the grounds of exceptional ability and consistently high academic performance as evidenced by—
(a) outstanding performance in termly and annual class examinations with a Grade A average or its equivalent in each examination;
(b) the child's assessment results at the key stages as provided for in section 144; and
(c) the written recommendations of teachers who have taught the child.
(3) A child below the age stipulated under subsection (1), who prior to the child's residence in Saint Lucia attended or gained admission to a secondary school or the equivalent of a secondary school may on the written approval of the Chief Education Officer be admitted to a public secondary school or an assisted secondary school.
(4) A student shall not without the written permission of the Chief Education Officer be retained in a public secondary school or an assisted secondary school after the end of the school year in which he or she shall have reached the age of 20 years.