Leaving school

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 06/06/2023

​Every young person who is leaving compulsory education and moving on to further learning, training or employment should receive an offer of post-16 learning.

The Scottish Government made this commitment in Opportunities for All, a national initiative that aims to improve young people’s participation in learning or training (and, ultimately, employment) between the ages of 16 and 20 (and beyond).

Your child can leave school at Christmas or summer following their 16th birthday. 

Your school should ensure, through effective transition planning, that your child has an offer of post-16 learning in place before the date that they plan to leave school.

Find out more about post-16 opportunities.

Leaving school

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 06/06/2023

​Every young person who is leaving compulsory education and moving on to further learning, training or employment should receive an offer of post-16 learning.

The Scottish Government made this commitment in Opportunities for All, a national initiative that aims to improve young people’s participation in learning or training (and, ultimately, employment) between the ages of 16 and 20 (and beyond).

Your child can leave school at Christmas or summer following their 16th birthday. 

Your school should ensure, through effective transition planning, that your child has an offer of post-16 learning in place before the date that they plan to leave school.

Find out more about post-16 opportunities.