Press release

Thousands more young people working or learning after 16

New figures show rise in young people at GCSE and A level stages continuing in education, training or employment.

• From: Department for Education and The Rt Hon Nick Gibb
• Published: 20 October 2015

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Thousands more young people are continuing on to study or work after the age of 16, official figures reveal today (Tuesday 20 October).

The figures show a rise in positive outcomes for students after both GCSE and A level stages of education (key stages 4 and 5) - demonstrating the positive impact of the government’s plan to equip all young people with the skills they need to unlock their potential.

Between 2012 to 2013 and 2013 to 2014, the proportion of students going into education, training or employment after A level or similar qualifications rose by 2 percentage points - the equivalent of around 18,000 people.

The proportion going to the top third of universities rose by a percentage point - the equivalent of almost 8,500 people.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

Ensuring all young people have the knowledge and skills they need to unlock their potential is a key part of this government’s commitment to social justice.

It is therefore extremely encouraging to see a growing number of young people are either continuing to study, or going into training or employment after GCSEs.

Destination measures help to hold schools and colleges to account, and ensure that in future even more young people are either studying or training from the age of 16.

Destination measures are increasingly being seen as key to assessing how well schools and colleges prepare their students to make a successful transition into the next stage of education or training, or employment.

The latest key stage 4 and 5 destination data shows:

• the proportion of students in continuous education, employment or training 6 months after completing key stage 5 (A level) rose from 71% in 2012 to 2013 to 73% in 2013 to 2014 - equivalent to around 18,000 young people
• the proportion of students in continuous education, employment or training 6 months after completing key stage 4 (GCSE) rose from 91% in 2012 to 2013 to 92% in 2013 to 2014 - equivalent to 15,500

Notes to editors

These provisional destination measures are being published for the first time. Full destination measures, including independent schools, will be published early next year.

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Published 20 October 2015