Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver

- Why are they meddling again?

The proposals contained in this England-only consultation are designed to make a reality out of the legislative change to raise the minimum education leaving age to 18. Making that a meaningful decision will involve a range of initiatives including: better implementation of Key Stage 3 in schools; good advice and support from Connexions and targeted youth support services; ensuring the availability of apprenticeships; and new qualification routes, such as the foundation learning tier, plus financial support for those who need it.

- So how does it propose to achieve that lot then?

The idea is to create a single point of local accountability, hence the organisation and funding of learning from 16 to 19 will transfer from the Learning and Skills Council to local authorities. So, as well as commissioning children and young people's services, councils will have a responsibility to ensure a place in learning for every 14- to 19-year-old, with the power to expand strong provision and cease funding for weak provision. Councils will also have to work with neighbouring authorities to ensure provision is planned across travel-to-learn patterns. A Young People's Learning Agency will ensure coherence where things aren't working too well.