School Leaving Age Birmingham

Education leaving age

Tuesday, 12, Jun 2007 05:21

What is the school leaving age?

In the UK, the government determines the duration of compulsory education, with the minimum school leaving age set down in an Act of parliament. The school leaving age has increased steadily since state-sponsored education was first recognised as a right for all children in the UK. Originally set at ten, it now stands at 16, with the possibility of a further extension.

Background

The Elementary Education Act 1870, also known as Forster's Education Act, recognised a framework of education for children between five and 13. It was founded on the need to improve the skills of the British workforce, maintaining competitiveness, and also preparing them for their new found voting rights.

The 1870 Act created elected school boards, which required attendance and could fine parents for their child's absence, with some exemptions including distance from school. School boards were abolished in the Belfour Act 1902 and replaced by Local Education Authorities.

An 1880 Act made education compulsory until the age of ten, following campaigning by the National Education League. Under the Elementary Education (School Attendance) Act 1893 it was increased to 11 and the right to education was extended to deaf and blind children. In 1899 the leaving age was increased again to 13.

The Fisher Education Act 1918 made education compulsory up until 14 years old, paving the way for increased tertiary education. Growing public debate on the role of education prompted government-commissioned inquiries into further reform. The Hadow committee subsequently recommended the distinction of infant and junior classes and maximum class sizes of 30.

In 1939 the government considered raising the leaving age again to 15, but this was delayed due to the onset of World War Two. The Education Act 1944 did succeeded in extending compulsory education to 15, and this took effect from 1947. More significantly, the 1944 Act created the grammar school system. All 11-year-olds were required to sit the 11-plus examination, which placed them in either an academic grammar school or a secondary modern.

Preparations began in 1964 to raise the leaving age again to 16, and this took effect in 1972. This has remained the case, meaning in practice children are compelled to attend school until their GCSEs.

In 2006 the government announced it was actively considering increasing the leaving age to 18. In 2007 the Department for Education and Skills launched a consultation, working towards an implementation date of 2013. Unlike previous changes to the school leaving age, this would raise the age when young people could leave education. Pupils would not be required to remain in formal, academic education but could instead pursue vocational courses or part-time on the job training.

Controversies

The concept of state education for all children proved controversial from its onset, regardless of the ...