Raising the participation age

Young people currently in Year 9 will continue in education or training to 17, and the current Year 8 (who started secondary school in September 2010) will continue until they are 18.

This change does not necessarily mean staying in school. Young people will be able to choose one of the following routes:

• full-time education, such as school, college or home education.
• work-based learning, such as an Apprenticeship.
• part-time education or training, if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week.

A new UK Government took office on 11 May. As a result the content on this site may not reflect current Government policy.
All statutory guidance and legislation published on this site continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise.