2024
Volume 24, Number 3/4, pp. 146-149
The school-leaving age
P. Inson
Swallows, 6 Dormy Houses, East Rd, East Mersea CO5 8UW, England
His was—is—a most intelligent question. At fourteen Jon was bored at school. When teachers complained about his disruptive behaviour he asked why they complained while compelling him to stay at school. I interviewed Jon for the Guardian (“Work ethics”—15 November 2006). He was a serial truant who preferred employment to the classroom. Truancy was illegal and seen as cutting young people off from learning yet as a truant Jon thrived at work among adults whose trust and respect he soon earned. Why should other young people not benefit from leaving school “early”?