Raising the participation age

Supporting more young people to study 

What is raising the participation age?

The Government has increased the age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training. It’s called raising the participation age or RPA.

How does this affect me?

Raising the participation age means you must continue in education or training until you are 18. It does not mean you must stay in school; you can choose one of the following options:

  • Full-time education, such as school, college or learning provider
  • Work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship or traineeship
  • Part-time education or training if you are employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week

Why have these changes taken place?

You deserve the best opportunities to achieve your potential; it has been proven that remaining in education or training for longer:

  • helps develop the skills needed for adult life
  • encourages achievement of full potential
  • raises aspirations and expectations
  • reduces the likelihood of unemployment
  • increases income earning potential and
  • encourages positive attitudes towards lifelong learning.

Where can I find more information?

This page was last modified on: 11 Nov 2023