Swinney rejects Tory calls to consider lowering school leaving age

John Swinney rejected Conservative calls to consider lowering the school leaving age, as he defended his government’s record on education.

Tory leader Russell Findlay said his party wants to have a “public debate” on the issue as he raised it at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

He argued that too many young people are being “left behind,” and he suggested that a hybrid approach combining training in workplaces and colleges often works better.

As part of Tory plans to “overhaul” the education system, Findlay said earlier this week it is time to “explore” lowering the leaving age “to 15, maybe even 14”.

Responding, Swinney referred to a TV interview given by his opponent in which he indicated that the plans may not be in the Conservative manifesto.

Swinney said: “I don’t intend to follow the policy approach proposed by Mr Findlay, but then I don’t think he does either.”

He said more young people are leaving school for “positive destinations”.

Findlay said Holyrood “needs to focus more on encouraging opportunity and aspiration”.

The First Minister said apprenticeships have been reformed, allowing some senior pupils to work with an employer for a day a week.

He added: “That’s the type of pragmatic approach this Government takes to make sure we address the issue that Mr Findlay raises with me, that school doesn’t suit everybody.”

The Tory leader also referred to a survey from the NASUWT teaching union, which found 83% of teachers believe the number of pupils who are violent and abusive has increased in the past year.

He said: “Teachers say that they are at breaking point and pupils education is suffering.

“What does the First Minister have to say to teachers about this breakdown in classroom discipline?”

Swinney said he takes the survey findings “deadly seriously” and added that ministers are working with councils and unions around pupil behaviour issues.