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School leaving age could rise to 18

Summary

It is estimated that 11% of 16 to 18-year-olds in England are currently not in education, training or work.

This Green Paper ‘Raising Expectations: Staying in education and training post-16‘ (Cm 7065 2006-07) from the Department for Education and Skills examines the case for raising the school leaving age in England to 18 by 2013.

The move is designed to address the perceived deficit of basic skills and employment-related skills.

Proposals include requiring participation for 16 to 18-year-olds in either employment, workplace training or further education, specifically:

  • All young people should participate in education or training until their 18th birthday
  • Participation could be at school, in a college, in work-based learning, or in accredited training provided by an employer
  • In order to count as participating, young people would be required to work towards accredited qualifications
  • Participation should be full time for young people not in employment for a significant part of the week, and part time for those working more than 20 hours a week.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a Command Paper (Cm 7065 2006-07): it is a Green Paper from the Department for Education and Skills.

Find out more about Green Papers.

How does it affect me?

If you work in education or have a child who will be starting Year 7 in September 2008, this affects you.

Participation may be required for all 16 to 18-year-olds in either employment, workplace training or further education by 2013.

Visit the DfES website to contribute to current public consultations.

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