This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7595155.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| New pupils have to stay until 17 | New pupils have to stay until 17 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Children starting secondary schools in England this week will be the first to be legally required to stay in education until they are 17. | Children starting secondary schools in England this week will be the first to be legally required to stay in education until they are 17. |
| The rise in the age at which pupils can end their studies is just one of several changes taking effect in English schools this term. | The rise in the age at which pupils can end their studies is just one of several changes taking effect in English schools this term. |
| New diplomas for subjects such as engineering and construction are also being phased in. | New diplomas for subjects such as engineering and construction are also being phased in. |
| Head teachers say too many initiatives are being introduced at once. | Head teachers say too many initiatives are being introduced at once. |
| The increase in the school leaving age is the first such change since 1972, when it was raised from 15 to 16. | The increase in the school leaving age is the first such change since 1972, when it was raised from 15 to 16. |
| There are also major changes to the curriculum for 11 to 14-year-olds and to GCSEs and A levels. The latter will have a new A* grade to help distinguish the very best exam candidates. | There are also major changes to the curriculum for 11 to 14-year-olds and to GCSEs and A levels. The latter will have a new A* grade to help distinguish the very best exam candidates. |
| But the head of the Association of School and College Leaders, has warned that too much change is happening all at once. | But the head of the Association of School and College Leaders, has warned that too much change is happening all at once. |
| The rise in the leaving age is part of a previously announced government policy to have pupils continue their education to the age of 18. This will take effect for school leavers from 2015. | The rise in the leaving age is part of a previously announced government policy to have pupils continue their education to the age of 18. This will take effect for school leavers from 2015. |
| As an interim step the age will rise to 17 from 2013 - the year in which those pupils starting secondary level education this week would otherwise have expected to be able to leave school. | As an interim step the age will rise to 17 from 2013 - the year in which those pupils starting secondary level education this week would otherwise have expected to be able to leave school. |
| SCHOOL LEAVING AGE 1870: First compulsory school for younger children1880: Attendance enforced for 5-10 year olds1899: Leaving age raised to 121918: Full-time education compulsory up to 141944: Education Act raises leaving age to 151964: Raising of school leaving age to 16 announced, but not in place until 1972 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5294">Send us your comments | |
| The change will not mean that pupils have to stay in the classroom, but they will have to continue to receive training. | The change will not mean that pupils have to stay in the classroom, but they will have to continue to receive training. |
| The changes have been introduced because ministers estimate there are some 200,000 young people aged between 16 and 18 who are not in education or training. | The changes have been introduced because ministers estimate there are some 200,000 young people aged between 16 and 18 who are not in education or training. |
| The government says this is unacceptable if the UK is to successfully compete in global business markets. | The government says this is unacceptable if the UK is to successfully compete in global business markets. |
| The first five new diplomas being introduced relate to the employment sectors of creative and media, information technology, health and social care, construction and the built environment and engineering. | |
| Sir Mike Tomlinson, former chief inspector of schools in England, led the inquiry which recommended over-arching diplomas at different levels of attainment. | |
| He told BBC News children would now leave school better equipped. | |
| "Instead of just GCSE mathematics and English, we defined the idea of functional mathematics and functional English, which we said should be those mathematical and language skills that employers needed and, importantly, young people need in everyday life," he said. | |
| Shadow education secretary Michael Gove said the idea of vocational diplomas was admirable, but raised concerns about take-up. | |
| "Originally, we were going to have 50,000 people doing the diploma but actually the number of students who've enlisted to do it starting this year is around 20,000. | |
| "That's because insufficient attention has been paid to getting this examination right - politics has got in front of getting the detail right." | |
| Meanwhile, there have already been problems with maintenance allowances worth up to £30 a week for 17-year-olds. | Meanwhile, there have already been problems with maintenance allowances worth up to £30 a week for 17-year-olds. |
| Tens of thousands of teenagers have not received their money yet because of computer problems. | Tens of thousands of teenagers have not received their money yet because of computer problems. |
| And new welfare guidelines including 69 "learning goals" for the under-fives have come into force in England. | And new welfare guidelines including 69 "learning goals" for the under-fives have come into force in England. |
| The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets out expected standards of care in registered childcare settings. | The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets out expected standards of care in registered childcare settings. |
| Children starting secondary school in England this week will be the first to be legally required to stay in education until they're 17. They will be given the option of studying for vocational diplomas instead of GCSEs and A levels. | |