WARRINGTON Borough Council is working with schools and employers to spread the word about the raising of the school leaving age, which comes into force next year.
The Government is raising the age at which young people are required to take part in education or training.
The new rules mean young people will be required to continue in education or training until the end of the academic 
year in which they turn 17 – and from 2015 young people will be required to continue until their 18th birthday.
This does not necessarily mean that young people will have to stay on at school after Year 11, and they will still be able to work full-time if they choose to.
They will have a choice about how they participate post-16, which could be through full-time education, work-based learning such as an apprenticeship or
part-time education if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week.
The new legislation may affect organisations which employ a 16-17 year-old for more than 20 hours a week or more than eight weeks in a row. For example, it may mean they have a responsibility to support that young person in training or part-time learning.
Cllr Colin Froggatt, the borough council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “We have a responsibility to inform everyone of this important change in legislation and help implement it.
“The world of employment is changing – the jobs of the future will require higher levels of skills, training and qualifications. Raising the age at which young people are required to participate in education or training will help prepare them for successful careers.”
Young people, parents or employers who want more information should contact Cassandra Meza at the council on 01925 442352 or visit www.wayahead-warrington.co.uk
New rules for school leaving age
11 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
1 Comment
Sounds like a scheme to artificially reduce the youth unemployment figures, while increasing the problem of teachers having to deal with people who don’t really want to be there…..whatever the talk of altenatives there will be a number who are unable to gain apprenticeships or work-based learning and end up sat in classrooms they don’t want to be in , many of them causing disruption and harming the education of students who do actually want to be there and learn.