The Scottish Conservatives have outlined a new proposal to lower the age that children can leave school to below 16.
In a speech during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, party leader Russell Findlay introduced the “bold idea” as an effort to expand opportunities for adolescents and increase Scotland’s economic potential.
He contended: “Too many young people become trapped in a system that isn’t working for them.”
“This is not about writing off these young people. It is the very opposite of that.”
“It is about guiding each individual onto the path best suited to their aspirations.”
The proposal refers to “a form of hybrid education” where students are offered “a fast track to opportunity, whether college or an apprenticeship.”
Findlay asserted that this would hugely benefit the Scottish economy, developing a stronger workforce to reduce skills gaps, help businesses grow, and attract overseas investors.
While this proposal would require new legislation to overcome current laws about the working hours available to under-16s, Findlay cited similar schemes in Germany, Austria, and Australia to argue that “important considerations including child protection” can be modified correspondingly.
First Minister John Swinney denounced Findlay’s suggestion, highlighting his government’s reformed approach to apprenticeships where students can take up foundation apprenticeships as part of work-based learning in their senior phase of education.
He asserted that his party has “spent a great deal of time and effort on trying to encourage young people to maximise their engagement with education.”
“This has resulted in more young people staying on at school and, as a consequence, more young people going into positive destinations when they leave school.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth criticised the proposal:
“The Tories should say what they mean – they want to see working-class children leave school at 14 and leave academic pursuits to the middle and upper class.”
The Edinburgh University Scottish Social Mobility Society told The Student that with the 2026 election approaching, the proposed scheme “seems more like a headline grabber than a serious, well-thought-out proposal.”
“Wealthier students who remain in education would disproportionately access university and skilled vocational opportunities.”
“Most early school leavers come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Without substantial investment in vocational and alternative pathways for these pupils, we risk widening the already growing attainment gap into a deeper chasm of reduced social mobility.”
“School Pupils crossing Octagon, 1975” by Dunedin City Council Archives is licensed under CC BY 2.0.