Rise in number of teenagers studying and training

According to figures published by the Department for Education (DfE), the proportion of young people in education and training across England has risen.

The data shows that by the end of 2015, 91.2 per cent of 16-17-year-olds were in some form of education or training, revealing a one per cent rise on the previous year’s figure. The research also found that the proportion of 16-17-year-olds on council databases whose activity was unknown fell from 4.8 per cent to 4.3 per cent.

The statistics show that 94.9 per cent of 16-year-olds were in some form of education and training, 0.7 per cent higher than in December 2014. It also found that 87.5 per cent of 17-year-olds were in education and training, a 1.2 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Commenting on the news, Skills Minister Nick Boles, said: “The rise in 16 and 17-year-olds participating in education or training is very welcome, and we will work with councils to ensure this positive trend continues.”