School leaving age should be cut to 14, Scottish Tory leader suggests
Children should have the choice of leaving school at 14 if they are not suited to academia, the Scottish Tory leader is to argue.
Russell Findlay is to call for the school leaving age to be cut from 16 to prevent pupils being 'trapped in a system that isn't working for them'.
In a speech to a think tank in Edinburgh, Mr Findlay will insist that allowing children to quit school earlier was 'not about writing off these young people'.
Instead he will argue they could benefit from being 'in a form of hybrid education that is better suited to their talents', such as a fast-tracked apprenticeship or college.
One in seven quit after S4
Official figures published last week showed that around one in seven school leavers quit after S4, the highest number since 2010.
The proportion of pupils who left school last year with one or more passes at National 5s, or equivalent and one or more pass at Higher level or equivalent also dropped.
Last year 83.5 per cent of school leavers had one pass or more at National 5 level, while 57.4 per cent had one pass or more at Higher level. Both were lower than in 2022/23.
'Trapped'
Mr Findlay is expected to tell the Reform Scotland think tank: 'For decades, Scotland's minimum school leaving age has been 16.
'Too many young people become trapped in a system that isn't working for them. Even worse, far too many exit from it altogether.
'This is not about writing off these young people. It is the very opposite of that. It is about guiding each individual onto the path best suited to their aspirations.'
He will add: 'Upon leaving school at 15, maybe even 14, they would still be required to stay in education. But it would be a form of education that works for them – a fast track to opportunity, whether college or an apprenticeship.'
The plan is 'Victorian'
The Scottish Tory leader will argue the move would boost Scotland's workforce by reducing skills gaps but the Liberal Democrats said the plan was 'Victorian'.
Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrats' education spokesman, said: 'I'm all for increasing apprenticeships and expanding opportunities for young people but Russell Findlay seems like he is about six months away from sending kids back up chimneys.'
Jenny Gilruth, the SNP education secretary, said: 'These reckless plans were proposed by the Scottish Tories in 2011 – and were soundly rejected by the Scottish people.
'The Tories should say what they mean – they want to see working class children leave school at 14 and leave academic pursuits to the middle and upper class. That is not an approach this government will agree with.'
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