§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is now able to announce any proposals to change the school leaving date in favour of one day, or days, throughout the country, rather than the present system of the date being the end of the school term which varies from one local education authority to another.
§ Mr. MulleyYes. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I propose to introduce legislation to make the Friday before the Spring Rank Holiday the summer leaving date throughout England and Wales We hope that it will be possible to make the change in 1976.
The proposed change should help schools, teachers and upper form pupils in the second half of the summer term when the normal work of secondary schools is affected by examinations. Pupils who reach their sixteenth birthday between 1st February and 3lst August in any year will be legally entitled to leave at or after the Bank Holiday. It will not affect younger pupils and those who decide to continue their education at school after reaching the leaving age.
My right hon. and learned Friend and I also propose to consult widely with those concerned about the implications of this change in relation to the present Easter leaving date.