Participation of 16-18 year olds in full-time education

Over the five years through 2025-26, the participation rate for 16 to 18 years olds in full-time education is expected to increase by 0.4 percentage points to reach 72.2%. Following a relatively sharp increase in full-time over the two decades through 2014-15, there has been a slow rise in the proportion of 16- to 18-year-olds in full-time education through to the middle of the period, particularly as the school leaving age was increased to 18 years old in September 2015. Therefore, the majority of those classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) at the time were forced to extend schooling in the form of education or training.

Participation rates have remained relatively unchanged in the early half of the period, this is due to the government increasing its support for employment-based training, such as apprenticeships. The largest such support is the Apprenticeship Levy introduced in April 2017, a charge of 0.5% of an employer's wage bill, for those with bills above £3 million. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the number of apprenticeships. In particular, those between the ages of 16 to 18 were furloughed due to the incapability to learn and work remotely. According to The Sutton Trust, only two out of five apprenticeships continued as normal while 44% of apprentices were furloughed. Despite this, in 2020-21, the participation rate declined, which could be due to health related inactivity caused by the pandemic.

Overall, however, the trend has been positive for full-time education which has risen over the period. This is in line with the historical trend as the government has developed and implemented schemes to ensure that higher and further education is as accessible as possible.