14 - 19 Education

The Raising of the Participation Age (RPA) means that all young people will continue in Education or training to 17 from 2013 and to 18 from 2015. This will be the first time in nearly forty years that the education leaving age has been raised. it is one of the most fundamental changes to our education system and ensuring all young people stay in education and training is one of the most urgent challenges facing our country today.

This means that young people in year 9 will continue in education or training to 17, and the current year 8 will continue until they are 18 (as of academic year 2010/11)

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 apprenticeships; or
• Part time education or training, if they are employed, self employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week.

More information

Watch a video about young people in Wandsworth telling us what they think about the change in the law.

For further information on RPA, please contact Noel Tierney

Email: ntierney1@wandsworth.gov.uk 
Telephone: 020 8871 6122