A LEADING Bolton headteacher has urged pupils across the town to think long and hard before making the decision to quit school after receiving their GCSE results.

John Baumber, head of Rivington and Blackrod High and deputy chair of the Bolton Headteachers' Group echoed concerns expressed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who say that leaving school early could be damaging to teenagers' long-term job prospects and earning potential.

Established earlier this year, the Government-backed LSC now holds responsibility for all non-university post-16 education.

And it warns that pupils could face a "post-code" lottery with different areas of the country being better for encouraging them to stay on than others.

The LSC estimate that between 70 and 74 per cent of Bolton pupils stay on at school beyond the age of 16. This compares with more than 80 per cent in nearby Cheshire.

LSC chief executive John Harwood said: "While we have seen a steady growth in the number of young people staying on in education after their GCSEs, we want more young people to realise the benefits of learning for life and achieve their full potential.

"Across England, we see differing pockets of success in encouraging young people to stay on in learning."

Mr Baumber described children leaving school after GCSE was a 'big issue" for Bolton.

Concern

And while celebrating a set of GCSE results that were "as good as any we have had", Mr Baumber said it was important for youngsters to consider their next move carefully.

"A big concern in Bolton and nationally is the number of children leaving school at 16 with no qualifications at all," he said. "Thankfully, year on year we are seeing this number fall and it is vital that we get as many of our young people as possible to consider making the most of their education beyond 16."

He added: "At Rivington and Blackrod we are doing this by offering more vocational qualifications in such things as engineering and next year we are offering more A-Level courses than ever before.

"Our status as a Sports College also allows us to explore other avenues of encouraging young people to stay in education in one form or another." A LEADING Bolton headteacher has urged school pupils across the town to think long and hard before making the decision to quit school after receiving their GCSE results.

John Baumber, head of Rivington and Blackrod High and deputy chair of the Bolton Headteachers' Group echoed concerns expressed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who say that leaving school early could be damaging to teenagers' long-term job prospects and earning potential.

Established earlier this year, the Government-backed LSC now holds responsibility for all non-university post-16 education.

And it warns that pupils could face a "post-code" lottery with different areas of the country being better for encouraging them to stay on than others.

The LSC estimate that between 70 and 74 per cent of Bolton pupils stay on at school beyond the age of 16. This compares with more than 80 per cent in nearby Cheshire.

LSC chief executive John Harwood said: "While we have seen a steady growth in the number of young people staying on in education after their GCSEs, we want more young people to realise the benefits of learning for life and achieve their full potential.

"Across England, we see differing pockets of success in encouraging young people to stay on in learning."

Mr Baumber described children leaving school after GCSE was a 'big issue" for Bolton.

Concern

And while celebrating a set of GCSE results that were "as good as any we have had", Mr Baumber said it was important for youngsters to consider their next move carefully.

"A big concern in Bolton and nationally is the number of children leaving school at 16 with no qualifications at all," he said. "Thankfully, year on year we are seeing this number fall and it is vital that we get as many of our young people as possible to consider making the most of their education beyond 16."

He added: "At Rivington and Blackrod we are doing this by offering more vocational qualifications in such things as engineering and next year we are offering more A-Level courses than ever before.

"Our status as a Sports College also allows us to explore other avenues of encouraging young people to stay in education in one form or another."