Overall, students agreed that leaving school at 16 was a good idea, although some wanted the flexibility of leaving earlier. Pictured are Kay Wheatley, 14, Fern Gomez, Rosie Grimes and Luke Guppy, all aged 15. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0799615)
YEAR 10 pupils have given their backing to a change in the law that will keep them at school for another 12 months.
New legislation came in earlier this year raising the school leaving age from 15 to 16.
This means that about 740 teenagers will have to stay on for another year at school, regardless of their wishes.
But pupils at Les Beaucamps High School agreed with the politicians that this was the right move to make.
Rosie Grimes, 15, wanted to become an accountant when she was older. She felt qualifications were important for teenagers’ futures.
‘Most of my friends want to stay on,’ she said.
‘I think people are too young to make such big decisions about leaving school as they often don’t know what to do next.’
Kay Wheatley, 14, said she would have stayed on regardless of the law so that she could go to university in England.
‘Without good qualifications, it is hard to get employment. We need these grades so we can be equal with UK students when we compete for jobs.’
She said it was a bit of a shock to be part of the first year group forced to stay on, but still felt that it was a good idea.
But there were some students who would like to have the option to leave if they wished.
Fern Gomez, 15, wants to become a hairdresser. She felt staying at school was not helping her towards her career.
‘We should be given the choice,’ she said. ‘I want to go to college as it would be better and more helpful than school. I like school, but I don’t think it’s helping me.’
Luke Guppy, 15, was keen to get an apprenticeship, but still wanted to stay in school until he was 16.
‘You won’t get such a good job if you leave earlier. Getting more qualifications gives you more choices. Often people don’t know what to do, so it is better to stay on.’
Les Beaucamps head teacher Peter Le Cheminant said most of the Year 10 students were happy to remain for the extra year.
‘I fully support them staying on,’ he said.
‘If they leave at 15, then they are not well equipped to get employment.’
He said while some people who had left at 15 had done well, many of them ended up unemployed or in basic jobs.
‘Overall, most students want to stay on until 18 in education, but I think the ones who want to leave at 15 are too young.’jpouteaux@guernsey-press.com‘Overall most students want to stay on until 18 in education, but I think the ones who want to leave at 15 are too young’
Les Beaucamps High head teacher Peter Le Cheminant
Article posted on 4th July, 2009 - 2.29pm
Most Commented: