Schools still failing teenagers

Government education adviser Mike Tomlinson estimates that up to 25,000 teenagers are leaving school before starting to study for GCSEs. In other words, thousands of young people are dropping out of school early because the education system has let them down.

This shows just how ludicrous it is for the Government to raise the education leaving age when it can’t even get 14 year olds to turn-up. Ministers need to get a grip on this problem and create a system which motivates and challenges all young people.

Instead of producing more targets and gimmicks, ministers need to provide a better range of vocational qualifications and allow students to access college education from age 14.