School leaving age set to be 18

I think if they make it like a compulsory Youth Training Scheme like I did when I left school then it might be a good idea - if the kids havent got a job set up to go to at normal leaving age make companies take them on and pay them a small wage whilst they are training and still attending school or college. When I left school YTS already had a stigma attached to it that it wasnt worth doing because you were only treated like a general dogs body but I found it invaluable - I had one day a week at college learning office skills like short hand etc and then the rest of the time I was putting it to use in my office. It wouldnt have to be one day at college and four at work but I think a similar scheme could work. The kids would be learning to earn without the extra cost to parents or huge debts on themselves. Hope that's made sense lol :)

Interestingly, we had a YTS trainee in the job I was in at the time and he was soooooo uninterested in what we were trying to teach him, we gave up in the end and had him removed. That for me underlines the latest drive to keep kids at school until they are 18. Effectively, if the kids don't want to do it, they won't. There will be more truancy I think and more disruption in the classroom from those pupils that don't want to be there, but don't actually truant.

Personally, I think it's a bad thing. If the Nanny Government that we have now want to keep kids in school until they are 18, they should think of a way of making it more interesting for them. I mean, they are already paying 6th formers to stay on, which is something beyond belief. I wish they'd done that when I was in the 6th form!!!

Well i think its a good idea to keep them in school till 18.The family allowance has always been there for those that stay in some kind of education.I know that cos jean-paul went to college till he was 18 and worked part time

Increasing the school age to 18 is a great idea although it should be tailored to the individual, by that i mean the education that the young people receive should be of genuine interest to the individual, for example my 16 year old son was excluded from school for various reasons and therfore missed out on so much of his compulsary education, now though he is attending college on a course that he really enjoys, the only time that he as had off his when he as been ill. The course is a BTEC in sports studies but incorporated into that is essential skills for life, There is also a financial carrot for the young person called ema (education maintenance allowance) of upto £30 a week and there are strict criteria for receiving this and the parent still receives child benefit. The point that i am trying to make is if the young person doesn't enjoy what they are doing then for the most they wont learn and i can sort of relate to that as well.

I think its a good idea also as i see loads of school leavers atm dossing the streets and causing havoc thru the day. Come 18 and still at school that extra couple of yrs could do them the world of good and when leaving get themselves a job or be ready trained in something. I for one am glad that Dylan will be staying on til 18, he loves school, loves learning and if he carries on til 18 he will do me proud i reckon.
So its a yes vote from me.

Its a great idea to keep the kids in school or further education till 18 as some kids who don't do that well in school may end up with a better job due to extra trainning.

Even better they should put them in boarding school til 18 :D

Now that is a nice thought Chewy lol

oooo boarding school.. now theres a thought but who would have to pay for it :P

i do agree that they should put the age of leaving school up to 18 then the kids would have a better opportunity of being able to find a decent job when they do leave school, instead of being lazy and sponging off the goverment to pay there way til they decide to find work.

it would also keep them out of so much trouble if there doing something useful with there time by being in future education until that age, i wish i had done better when i was still at school and i wish it was a compulsary thing back then then i would of probably done alot better myself.