School’s not out forever as leaving age is raised (From Borehamwood Times)

School’s not out forever as leaving age is raised

8:30am Sunday 7th September 2008

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With this week’s announcement of the first rise in the school-leaving age since 1972, KATIE McGONAGLE asks people’s thoughts on today’s students having to stay in full-time education until 17.

Elizabeth Prentice, 19, of Tolworth Road, Borehamwood, said: “It’s a great idea. I’ve always thought you should have to stay on until you’re 18 because it stops people coming out at 16, not knowing what they’re going to do with their lives, and then doing nothing. By the time they’re 17 or 18, they’ve got a clearer idea of what they want to do. They’re more prepared, more grown-up and they can then make their own decision on whether to go to college or university. They’re more likely to be able to get a more stable job at 18.”

Antique market manager Beth Burke, 57, of Whitehouse Avenue, Borehamwood, said: “I’m pleased they’re going to learn new skills. I heard they’re going to learn engineering and IT. It’s better they come out of school with a skill, as opposed to just qualifications like geography and history that won’t get them anything, whereas IT and engineering will get them into a job.”

Computer software engineer, Richard Suggitt, 54, from Wheathampstead, said: “Large numbers of kids do stay in education until 18 anyway, and then go on to tertiary education. Getting others into vocational education is probably a good idea. It is a pity that there are no apprenticeships any more. It would be great if they were reinstated.”

Retired John Brown, 79, retired, of Morpeth Avenue, Borehamwood, said: “If there’s a lack of jobs, then obviously when they do leave youngsters will have an education, because a large number of kids seem to be leaving school without a proper one. The youngsters should be encouraged. If they’re a little bit shaky when they come to 15 or 16, if they can stay on for another year, then there must be every incentive to let them.”

Technician Pasquale Petagine, 40, of Millway, Rickmansworth, said: “I think it’s a good idea to maybe teach them a bit more of a [foreign] language in that year. Also, a bit more mechanics maybe, everyday things that you need.”

Microfilm unit technician Janice Stack, 46, from Haggerston Road, Boreham-wood, said: “It’s a good idea, if they’re going to do something practical like get outside skills like car mechanics, brick-laying, or being a chef. As long as they can get an outside skill, not just maths, English and history, because kids these days leave school and they’ve got nowhere to go and nothing to do.”

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