School leaving dates
School leaving dates and when you can leave
There are two school leaving dates:
- 31 May
- the first day of the Christmas holidays
When pupils can leave school
Pupils can leave school on 31 May if they will be 16 years old on or between 1 March and 30 September.
Pupils can leave school on the first day of the Christmas holidays if they are 16 years old on or between 1 October and the last day of February.
Full-time further education before leaving school
A pupil close to school leaving age can transfer to a full-time further education course. This must be approved by the Quality Manager, Curriculum and Quality Improvement Service.