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School, love it or hate it, education is compulsory with young people having to start full time education at the beginning of the school term after their fifth birthday. One of the most common questions then asked is “When can I leave school?” Well, in 1997 a “single school leaving date” came into effect, and this simply means that all young people (those taught in school or “education otherwise”), must remain in education until the last Friday in June when you are in year 11.

The Local Education Authority has a lawful duty to provide suitable education. This is the case even if you can't attend mainstream school for some reason such as serious illness, pregnancy or permanent exclusion. To add to this your parents/carers also have a lawful duty to make sure you receive that education, and if they don’t do this they can be prosecuted.

So why go to school (besides the reason that your parents/carers could be prosecuted if you don't go)? Well, having a good education will help to give a young person the best possible start in life. Employers want to know that the people they intend to employ are capable of the job they want doing, and it is also often the case those who miss school/education without a good reason are at risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.

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