Is it legal to leave school at 16?
Each time the new academic year dawns, most students around the UK return to school or begin a new journey in a Sixth Form or College. However, to a teenager, school may seem boring and pointless and the idea of opting out of education to make their own way in the world is more alluring.
This may leave you wondering: Is it legal to quit school before the age of 16? At what age is it considered legal to leave education? And are there any consequences for not staying in education for this long?
Is it legal to leave school at 16?
Yes, technically it is illegal, but there are
a multitude of reasons that education is
beneficial in building your future.
Read on to discover what other options
there are post-16...
Well, to make it easier to answer this question, The Government has established a variety of rules to follow when deciding to leave education.
Under previous legislation, it was compulsory for young people to remain in education until the age of 16.
However, because of new legislation (introduced in September 2013) the law now requires that young people continue in education, employment, or training until the age of 18.
If you are currently in England, you can legally leave school on the last Friday of June, only if you will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. However, you will have to ensure to do one of the following until you turn 18:
- Carry on with your education, do a BTEC, A levels, IB – whichever you fancy really – at school, college, or at home
- Start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
If you are under 16 and not in any full-time education or undertaking an alternative from the list above, you would not be acting within the legislation rules.
Although it is deemed to be breaching the legislation, The Government is unlikely to punish young people for not wanting to pursue further education.
Similarly, they may not want to fine parents who are going to be supporting those young people financially.
Although it is against the law to quit education, there are generally no permanent legal consequences for breaking this rule. While this might seem great, it is very highly recommended that both parents and students to abide by this law.
Choosing to stay in education instead of dropping out early can be helpful and hugely beneficial overall. A higher level of education can be crucial for many jobs that improve the economy. If young students leave education early on, it could have a negative impact on the economy and job market.
It is therefore most strongly recommended to stay in education even though calling quits may seem tempting.
There are many advantages of staying in school with the outcome being incredibly rewarding. While school may feel draining, frivolous, and exam-focused to you, it plays a significant role in the personal growth of young individuals as students, and here you are able to acquire innumerable life skills and opportunities.
