Staying on to 18 'boosts economy'

The legislation would see more apprenticeship schemes created

Plans which set out the government's strategy for raising the school leaving age to 18 have been unveiled.

The Education and Skills Bill aims to boost the skills and education of young people and adults in England.

It could bring economic benefits of £2.4bn annually, research shows, says Schools Secretary Ed Balls.

Those who refuse to stay on - either in school, college or on a job training scheme - will face spot fines of £50 and possible court fines of £200.

The legislation will mean all teenagers in England continuing in some form of education until they turn 18.

Those who opt out of academic courses will be offered places on apprenticeship schemes to gain workplace skills.

Parents will have a duty to help make sure their children attend classes under the plan.

Employers will also be required to let young people attend training for at least one day a week.

We must not give up on the young people who reach 16 and simply feel there is nothing out there for them Ed Balls, Schools Secretary

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has acknowledged he faces a "big task" to convince teenagers to support the idea.

He said: "These are the biggest reforms in education, training and skills in a generation and it is estimated that raising the participation age alone will potentially benefit the economy by around £2.4bn per year group.

"By 2015 every young person will be in some form of education or training until the age of 18 and there will be a range of free training beyond that.

"This is not about forcing young people who want to work while they train to stay at school.

"There will be a range of exciting qualifications and options to go into, including new Diplomas and 90,000 more apprenticeship places.

"Those who want to leave school to begin working at 16 will still be able to do so, as long as they participate in part-time training."

Fines 'last resort'

Mr Balls said parents, schools, colleges, employers and local authorities needed to play their part.

He said: "The fact that it will be hard is not a reason for not doing it.

"We must not give up on the young people who reach 16 and simply feel there is nothing out there for them.

"It's a shocking waste of talent and potential and it is virtually always young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds that slip through the net.

"This legislation, far from criminalising young people, will give those young people better skills and a better future, reducing their chances of getting on the wrong side of the law by giving them something worth working towards."

He said sanctions on parents, employers and young people should be an absolute last resort.

"If we get the curriculum offer right, sanctions should not be needed," he added.

The proposals have run into opposition from children's campaigners, unions and the Conservatives, and some parents have questioned the plan.

Apprenticeship places

Joint president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) John Freeman said: "ADCS welcomes the intentions behind this Bill.

"Ensuring that every young person engages in education and training up to the age of 18 is a laudable aim, but will challenge local authorities, schools and colleges to provide a curriculum that engages them.

"The new Diplomas are a major step in the right direction, and local 14-19 consortia are making great progress on their introduction."

It is important the content of Diplomas and apprenticeships is relevant and attractive to the target group Martin Johnson, Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

"We support making education or training compulsory to 18 since past evidence shows that raising the participation age always raises achievement.

"It is important the content of Diplomas and apprenticeships is relevant and attractive to the target group – the 10% of 16-18 year olds currently not in education, training or employment – if they are going to be enticed back into learning."

The first Diplomas will be available from 2008. There are now 17 Diplomas being developed, three of which are academic.

Key aspects of the Bill include:

• Raising the education or training leaving-age to 17 by 2013 and to 18 by 2015 - ensuring that every young person is in some form of recognised education or training until they are 18
• Adult skills - giving adults a right to basic and intermediate skills
• Information, advice and guidance - local authorities will be required to follow the Quality Standards for Information, Advice and Guidance published in October 2007
• Transport - local authorities will need to be more flexible in their approach to transport provision for pupils
• Flexibility and accountability for independent schools - independent schools will now be overseen by Ofsted rather than the secretary of state