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Original poster

To think school leaving age should be 16 again

39 replies

Walkyrie · 16/05/2026 16:57

For a multitude of reasons, but primarily because there are so many children not suited to the classroom who should really be starting work but instead drift/drop out as they’re bored but too young to gain full time employment. And this is not the right start to working life.

OP posts:
HaveYouFedTheFish · 16/05/2026 17:51

HaveYouFedTheFish · 16/05/2026 17:49

Perhaps the apprenticeship model needs to be revisited on a policy level. In Germany nine years of full time school are required (but starting at age 6, woth Kindergarten from 3-6 not included but almost universally taken up as it's theoretically free, so 12 years from age 3) and young people have to remain in education - including part time vocational education - until age 18, with a right to 13 years school - not unusual to have circumstances meaning they finish at 20 - even if it takes them past 18).

In practice a child who doesn't enjoy school and wants to work in retail would do the entry level apprenticeship but this will give equivalency to the next level of education in a limited subject specific context and entitle them to go on to the next level of apprenticeship or eventually to study a related vocational subject.

You can leave school in some states at 15 with a basic school leaving certificate, at 16 with GCSE equivalent, or at roughly 18 with university entrance qualifications (the system is even more complicated in reality, but essentially...).

If you leave at 15 having passed the school leaving exams you can do a one year apprenticeship in something like retail or the most basic level of social care or as a nursery helper, or in trades and building woth helper/ assistant level qualifications and then can later or immediately build on that with a three year apprenticeship - direct entry to the three year apprenticeship needs GCSEs.
Once you've passed that you can do a vocational degree (say retail management or business in the retail example) - sometimes that requires three years of full time work after the three year apprenticeship, sometimes not, it depends on the exact level of the apprenticeship (some are EQF level 6 which is bachelor equivalent but not actually a degree...).

It's complicated but in principle good because it pffers real, paid (usually) work combined with day release or block weeks at college, so some education continues in parallel with real work and earning, and there are always options.

The down side is it can be hard to change field as absolutely everything except the most unskilled level possible requires the relevant apprenticeship!

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oh yes and you can use a completed apprenticeship to access apprenticeship in other fields - so you can use your one year basic apprenticeship as a GCSE equivalent, your three year apprenticeship "as" A-level (in some cases more BTEC) equivalent etc.

Hallamule · 16/05/2026 17:52

Walkyrie · 16/05/2026 16:57

For a multitude of reasons, but primarily because there are so many children not suited to the classroom who should really be starting work but instead drift/drop out as they’re bored but too young to gain full time employment. And this is not the right start to working life.

Are there many employers out there looking for unskilled 16 year olds then? Most places won't even let 16 year old do work experience as their insurance doesnt cover it.

My ds2 went to college out of county so his place didn't appear on any of the LEA lists. We got a letter in the February of Y12 asking what he was doing, he then didnt reply for months and there was no follow up.

The truth is, school leaving age is 16 if you want it to be.

RaininSummer · 16/05/2026 17:52

They can. They just have to be in work, apprenticeship, training course etc not just lolling about.

RaininSummer · 16/05/2026 17:54

Also parents have to be prepared to keep their young people at that age as if not in education you can't claim child benefits or other benefits for them.

Butterme · 16/05/2026 17:57

Walkyrie · 16/05/2026 17:01

That’s great but what about kids who just want to work in a shop for a few years until they figure out what they want to do? A work ethic and basic skills in employment is learning. Not everyone knows what they want at 16

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Because a few years turns into 10 years and then they’re all of a sudden almost 30 with no career.

You then get the kids who aren’t doing either education or work.

If they’re not suited to a classroom environment, then an apprenticeship is the perfect solution.

It’s only 2 extra years.

TheCountessofLocksley · 16/05/2026 18:00

School leaving age is still 16. Young people can work if they want if combined with a training element. You are not understanding the difference between school leaving age and the requirement to partake in some form of education and training until 18.
https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

i agree with others, the way this is monitored is poor. The whole point of raising the participation age was to reduce the number of young people who ended up not in education, employment or training. Carresservce/connexio s/advice and guidance services were slashed, so there is no agency following up to ensure young people are supported and participating.

School leaving age

The age you can leave school in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

shrumps · 16/05/2026 18:01

What happens if they don’t do an apprenticeship or go to college when they leave school?

DandelionClockSeeds · 16/05/2026 18:01

I think it would be preferable to provide some alternatives from an earlier age than 16.
GCSEs aren't suitable for all. You need yo get the disillusioned out of the classroom and doing something mire vocational, along with functional skills way before 16.

youalright · 16/05/2026 18:03

ExtraOnions · 16/05/2026 17:02

They can, DD went to work in Boots at 16 - nobody comes knocking on your door to check where they are.

This my daughter did the same she's a manager now. Nobody checks

youalright · 16/05/2026 18:04

shrumps · 16/05/2026 18:01

What happens if they don’t do an apprenticeship or go to college when they leave school?

Nothing aslong as they don't try to claim benefits. If they support themselves nobody is bothered

UniquePinkSwan · 16/05/2026 18:22

They can. My DS quit school at 16 with nothing to go to and nothing was done. I had a phone call and that was it. He has autism and was struggling

emuloc · 16/05/2026 18:48

shrumps · 16/05/2026 18:01

What happens if they don’t do an apprenticeship or go to college when they leave school?

Nothing.

SomersetBrie · 16/05/2026 18:55

youalright · 16/05/2026 18:04

Nothing aslong as they don't try to claim benefits. If they support themselves nobody is bothered

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The parents should also not be claiming child benefit if they are not still in (some form of) education until 18. If they are, child benefit can go to 19.

x2boys · 16/05/2026 18:58

Butterme · 16/05/2026 17:57

Because a few years turns into 10 years and then they’re all of a sudden almost 30 with no career.

You then get the kids who aren’t doing either education or work.

If they’re not suited to a classroom environment, then an apprenticeship is the perfect solution.

It’s only 2 extra years.

Show quote history

If they csn find one.

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