what is the minimum school leaving age in the uk
It is 19 years of age from the year 2017
Raising of school leaving age in England and Wales
On 1 September 1972, the age was raised from 15 to 16, after preparations which had begun in 1964. This left a gap year of school leavers who, by law, had to complete an additional year of education from 1973 onwards. In recent years, government statistics showed that 11% of 16 to 18 year-olds were neither continuing their education after completion of their GCSEs, nor in full-time employment or an apprenticeship, thus increasing the overall unemployment rate, given that many are unable to find work. The UK Government hoped that by making education compulsory up to the age of seventeen years by 2013, eighteen years by 2015 and nineteen years by 2017. it could change this.
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Raising of school leaving age in England and Wales [SEP] Introduction
The raising of school leaving age (shortened to ROSLA) is the term used by the government for changes of the age at which a child is allowed to leave compulsory education in England and Wales as specified under an Education Act. In England and Wales this age has been raised on several occasions since the introduction of compulsory education in 1870. Many of the increases in the 19th and 20th centuries were intended to generate more skilled labour by giving more time for students to gain skills and qualifications. On 1 September 1972, the age was raised from 15 to 16, after preparations which had begun in 1964.