Duty to continue in education or training beyond 16
Under the 'Raising the Participation Age' legislation, from September 2015 all young people have a duty to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday.
This duty does not continue to the end of the academic year in which the young person turns 18, but they are encouraged to complete the education or training they are undertaking even if this extends beyond their 18th birthday.
This does not mean that a young person must stay on at school, however. The options available are:
- Full-time education (known as a study programme) at a college, school or with a training provider
- Apprenticeship, traineeship or supported internship
- Full-time employment or volunteering (of 20 hours or more per week) combined with accredited part-time education or training
Parents/Guardians or young people may be contacted by Surrey County Council asking about what they are currently doing as it is the duty of the local authority to track all young people's participation.
Please note that parents/guardians will not be prosecuted if their child does not participate full time.
English and Maths Requirements
Full time students starting a study programme who have not already achieved a GCSE grade 9-4 in English and maths must continue to work towards these. Those who have achieved a grade 3 (equivalent) must be enrolled on a GCSE qualification. Those who have not achieved GCSE grade 3 will be enrolled on to a functional skills qualification at an appropriate level or an alternative stepping stone qualification.
