 From this time, the school leaving age (which remains 16) and the education leaving age (which is now 18) have been separated.State-provided schooling and sixth-form education are paid for by taxes.All children in England must currently therefore receive an effective education (at school or otherwise) from the first "prescribed day", which falls on or after their fifth birthday until their 18th birthday, and must remain in school until the last Friday in June of the school year in which they turn 16.