Latest News - January 2009

Education and Skills Act 2008 given Royal Assent

This bill was given Royal Assent on 26 November 2008. This landmark piece of legislation will increase participation in learning for young people and adults.

For the first time in 30 years, the Government has legislated to raise the age at which young people can leave education. Young people will now be required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday in one of the following ways:

1. Full-time education or training, including school, college and home education;
2. Work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship;
3. Part-time education or training, if they are employed, self-employed or   volunteering more than 20 hours a week.

The Act also rationalises the regulation and monitoring regime for independent schools and non-maintained special schools.

Other Points

“Connexions” is a public service responsible for giving information to 13 to 19 year olds about education and careers. Responsibility for delivering the Connexions service has been transferred to local authorities so that it can join up with other local services. The idea is that this will offer a more holistic approach to young people considering their education and career options.

Local authorities have been empowered to arrange assessments of learning difficulty needs in a person’s final year of compulsory education and up to the age of 25 for any young person who would benefit from one.

Adult Learners

The Learning and Skills Council have a duty to ensure free provision of basic skills training and first full level 2 qualification courses. They also have a duty to ensure that 19 – 25 year olds who are undertaking their first full level 3 qualification do not have to pay tuition fees.

To find out more about how we can help you, please contact Maxwell Gillott Solicitors.