GCSE results day is fast approaching and for some of you, once you’ve completed your GCSEs, you’ve had enough of full time education and might be wondering – can I leave school after GCSEs?

The short answer is yes; you can leave school after GCSEs. Until you are 18 years old you must do one of the following:

• stay in full-time education, at school or at a college
• start an apprenticeship or traineeship
• spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.

Options after GCSEs

Your options include continuing your study, full time, but somewhere other than school – so for example at a college of further education. Some students find that this is just the change that they need.

FE Colleges offer many choices for study, including many vocational courses like NVQs and BTECs as well as traditional academic options like A-levels. Many also offer qualifications above level 3 such as higher national certificates, higher national diplomas, foundation degrees and full degrees, which they run in association with a partnered university. Other options include professional qualifications and training.

Apprenticeships, if you can find one in the occupation that you are interested in are an increasing popular option and people are beginning to develop a better understanding of how apprenticeships work now.

Apprenticeships are available in just about every work area that you can think of. You will find that certain employment sectors will be covered better in certain areas (where that industry exists) so it’s worth looking into.

Finally, you could work or volunteer for 20 or more hours a week and study part time if that would suit you better. This could include taking an entry level role and enrolling on a part time course of study that complements that job and prepares you for progression in the work place.

So, if you’re asking yourself – can I leave school after GCSEs, yes you can, but you cannot leave education or training completely until you are 18 years old.