This will be the first time in nearly forty years that the education-leaving age has been raised. It is one of the most fundamental changes to our education system, as ensuring all young people stay in education and training is one of the most urgent challenges facing our country today.

Raising the Participation Age � supporting local areas to deliver sets out what LAs need to do to by 2013 and what we will be done nationally to support them. The DCSF will also be sharing good practice throughout 2010, drawing on the 11 RPA trial areas.

You are asked to take some time to read over the plan, linked below. The DCSF legislated five years in advance, in order to allow everyone to prepare thoroughly for RPA. This is a historic moment for the country and the biggest educational opportunity for future generations. The first young people to benefit from RPA are already in Years 7 and 8, and so it is important to act now in order to ensure that they are on a path to succes.