02 February 2015

Teenage school drop-outs costing over £800m, say councils

Thousands of teenagers are dropping out of education at a yearly cost of £814m thanks to a ‘bums on seats’ approach to schooling, research suggests.

Council leaders warned youngsters were being ‘failed’ by an approach to post-16 education that funds schools and colleges based on student numbers rather than offering correct courses.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said stronger town hall powers over education would allow councils, schools and colleges to ensure young people were offered the right courses to gain skills for local jobs.

Analysis by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion for the LGA suggests 12% of all government spending on post-16 education and skills is lost thanks to students failing to complete qualifications or quitting courses early.

Figures show 178,100 16-18 year olds failed to complete post-16 qualifications started in 2012/13.

Cllr David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA’s children and young people board, said: ‘Councils are having success in helping young people that do drop-out back into learning but fear a failure to reform the centralised “bums on seats” approach to funding further education could leave too many teenagers at risk of dropping out or without the skills needed to get a job.

‘Local councils, colleges, schools and employers know how to best help their young people and should have devolved funding and powers to work together to give young people the best chance of building careers and taking jobs that exist locally.’

A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘We have invested £7.2bn to fund a place for every 16- and 17-year-old in England who wants one.

‘We are reforming academic qualifications and vocational education to ensure young people get the knowledge and skills that they need to move into a job.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner