<P> In England and Wales , this age has been raised numerous times since the introduction of compulsory education in 1870 . On 1 September 1972 , the age was raised from 15 to 16 , following preparations which began eight years earlier in 1964 . This left a gap year of school leavers who , by law , had to complete an additional year of education from 1973 onwards . </P>
<P> In England and Wales , this age has been raised numerous times since the introduction of compulsory education in 1870 . On 1 September 1972 , the age was raised from 15 to 16 , following preparations which began eight years earlier in 1964 . This left a gap year of school leavers who , by law , had to complete an additional year of education from 1973 onwards . </P>
when did school leaving age raised to 16
when did school leaving age raised to 16
1 September 1972
1 September 1972