Scottish Tory leader sets out ‘bold’ plans to cut school leaving age from 16

Change in Scotland’s education system is “necessary and urgent”, Conservative leader Russell Findlay said as he outlined plans to potentially cut the age children can leave school.

While Mr Findlay said for “decades” pupils have had to stay at secondary school until the age of 16, he argued that for some youngsters this is “causing real and often lifelong harm”.

As part of Tory plans to “overhaul” the education system, the Scottish Conservative leader said it was time to “explore” lowering the leaving age “to 15, maybe even 14”.

While Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth branded the proposal “reckless”, Mr Findlay said it was a “bold idea” that “deserves serious consideration and debate”.

He made the call as he said that “too many young people become trapped in a system that isn’t working for them”.

He said this could result in so-called “ghost children” – youngsters who do not regularly attend classes – facing a future of poverty, where they are forced to rely on state benefits.

But with the Tories requiring youngsters who leave school to stay in some form of education – such as college or an apprenticeship – Mr Findlay insisted his proposals could be good for businesses and the economy too.

Speaking about the plans at an event in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the Tory said his party wanted to give young people “an opportunity to continue in a form of hybrid education that is better suited to their talents”.

He stated: “Upon leaving school before the age of 16 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 Scottish Conservative leader added: “We need to be honest that for many in Scotland today, school isn’t working.”

He insisted his party was not “writing off these young people” but added that instead the Tories had “the courage to admit that the existing system is causing real and often lifelong harm”.

Mr Findlay told the event, hosted by think tank Reform Scotland together with public affairs agency Charlotte Street Partners, his proposals aim to “identify and provide the right opportunity for each individual”.

Stressing that “the need for change is not just desirable but necessary and urgent”, the Tory said the plans could help Scotland’s economy.

Mr Findlay said: “Ask any business person and they will tell you about their frustrations of finding employees with the right skills.

“Some will tell you about young adults who cannot even read, write or count.

“In today’s ultra-competitive global market, when businesses cannot recruit the right people, they either go under or go elsewhere.

“This shrivels the economy and reduces tax revenues, resulting in less money for public services.”

However, Ms Gilruth stated: “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.

“We will continue to take action to ensure every child in Scotland no matter their background has the opportunity to succeed in whatever path they choose.”

The Education Secretary said there were “record numbers of vocational qualifications earned by pupils in our schools – and record numbers of Scottish students accepted to university” under the SNP.

She added: “The last time the school leaving age was changed to 14 was over a century ago. Tory values may be rooted in the Victorian era – but we will not allow them to drag our education system into a bygone age with this Dickensian policy.”