Education written question – answered at on 5 July 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to remove barriers to education for young people aged between 16 and 19 years who are not engaged with the education system; and if he will make a statement.
Attainment at age 16 is the most important factor in determining later participation in education and training. We have set out reforms to pre-16 education in the White Paper ‘The Importance of Teaching’ focused on raising attainment and preventing low achievement becoming an ongoing barrier to participation and success.
There is a strong link between disadvantage and young people's likelihood of participating post-16 and the Pupil Premium will give schools extra funding to spend on interventions that support the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. For those young people facing financial barriers to education post-16, we have introduced a £180 million bursary scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds to provide better targeted financial support to those who need it.
Local authorities have duties to provide sufficient suitable education and training places for young people aged 16 to 19, track their participation and provide targeted support to all those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to help them to re-engage. Local authorities will know best what type of support is needed to address the particular barriers that young people face in their area, and we are funding this through the Early Intervention Grant.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.