ANGRY young rebels, quitters, escapists and cool dudes - these are just some of the terms used to define today's teenagers.

These are not - as you might think - from the pages of a teen magazine. They are, in fact, descriptions used in a Green Paper published by Education Secretary Alan Johnson on plans to raise the school leaving age.

In it teenagers who are likely to drop out are labelled as rebels and quitters while "cool dudes" are those who just want to have fun.

The Green Paper follows the announcement by Chancellor Gordon Brown in last week's budget that, from 2015, all young people will have to remain in some form of education until their 18th birthday.

The first pupils to be affected would be those entering secondary school next September.

However, the plans have not been welcomed by some of the current pupils and sixth formers at Turton College who say they want to be taken seriously as young adults and allowed to make up their own minds, rather than being dictated to by government ministers.

In his Green Paper Mr Johnson said: "It's not good for the economy or for young people if they leave school at 16 without the skills they need to succeed in the world of work. With fewer low skilled jobs we need more high skilled young people and this means spending more time in training or education.

"As a nation we've toyed with the idea for almost a hundred years, now is the time to make it a reality for all."

His claims were backed by government-commissioned surveys which suggest that a majority of adults are keen to see children studying until the age of 18 - with the strongest support coming from grandparents.

No-one under the age of 16 was asked their opinion and support for the change drops in proportion to age. While 97 per cent of grandparents agree with the proposal, those aged 16 to 24 years were more cautious in their response.

Pupils at Turton said that the plan to raise the school leaving age was flawed.

Alex Lewin, aged 14, says none of the descriptions in the Green Paper apply to him even though he does not want to stay on in education after he is 16.

He said: "I don't like school and am not sure what I want to do yet, but I would hate the idea of having to learn until I am 18 just because the government says so.

"There are plenty of people who have gone on to be a success after leaving school at 16, such as Richard Branson."

Kyle Soo, aged 18, aims to study law at university. He added: "Some don't go on to further education because no-one else in their family has.

"Changing the mindset of those pupils and families has to be achieved another way other than just forcing them to stay in education."

Shaan Bassi, aged 18, said: "Will young people be fined for refusing to carry on learning or will it be their parents? How will it work?

"Currently those who go into further education are there through choice and there to learn. If you force people to go, they will mess about."

Jennifer Beardmore, aged 16, added: "Some people might just want to get a job, or get married and have children, are they supposed to stay in some form of education until they are 18? Teenagers should want to learn not be forced to."

Deputy headteacher Charlie Taylor said the school worked hard to encourage pupils to stay in education or undertake on-the-job training.

He said: "Education has changed. Pupils who are more practically minded have can take a more vocational course alongside academic subjects.

"You can't force young people to stay in education. They have to be engaged in it first."

Labelled: how the Green Paper defines the class of 2007

ANGRY YOUNG REBELS: These are "against the system". They are "very hostile" to authority figures, such as teachers, and disrupt lessons - but they could be encouraged to take up college courses "that offer opportunities to succeed".

QUITTERS: These teenagers "believe they have tried and failed", the Green Paper said. They need to be offered appropriate courses which are not too difficult or too easy.

REBELS WITHOUT A CAUSE: These are impatient to get a job and start earning cash. They "believe their personality will be their key to success". School is boring but they are not hostile to teachers. Apprenticeships seem the best route.

COOL DUDES: "Life is predicated on having fun and school gets in the way." Teachers see them as lazy, they need to see links between their education and their interests - mentoring could help.

HEDGERS: They are waiting to commit until they get their GCSE results. Vocational options can help.

SETTLERS: They sit between the "cool dudes" and the "quitters" -they want an easy life and need to be offered courses which they can succeed in.

ESCAPISTS: They "dream of being discovered" but are disengaged. Vocational courses and mentoring can help get them back on track.

STRUGGLERS: They want to do well but have u0nrealistic aspirations. They are eager to get on but need courses at "an appropriate level".