School leaving age

Participating in education or training brings benefits for young people, and also for the economy and wider society. Young people who continue in learning post-16 are more likely to attain higher levels of qualifications and have increased earnings over their lifetime. They are also able to gain the skills that employers want.

All young people in England must continue in education, employment or training until their 18th birthday; this does not mean that young people must stay in school, they will be able to participate through three options:

• full-time education - for example, at a school or college
• an apprenticeship or traineeship
• part-time education or training - as well as being employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week.