Raising the Participation Age (RPA)
By law, all 16 year olds must now continue in education or training until they are at least 18 years of age.
This means that your son/daughter should be making plans for at least two years of further education and/or training after Year 11.
Every young person in Norfolk is guaranteed a place in further education or training for at least two years after finishing Year 11.
What are the benefits to young people?
Continuing in education or training for two years between the ages of 16-18 will help them to:
- increase their motivation to succeed and raise their aspirations
- develop new skills needed for employment
- gain the qualifications needed for employment or University
- reduce the likelihood of future unemployment
- open the doors to more exciting career options
- increase their earning potential
- develop positive attitudes towards learning and adult life
- take a further step to achieve their full potential.
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What are the options for 16-18 learning?
- Full-time education in a school sixth form, sixth form college, further education college or with a training provider
- Take up an apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer
- Work full-time with additional part-time learning (at least 280 planned hours of education a year) which will result in a recognised qualification
- Combine self-employment with part-time education leading to a recognised qualification
- Volunteer (for 20+ hours) with the addition of part-time education or training leading to a recognised qualification
