when was the school leaving age raised from 15 to 16?

1971 - leaving age raised to 16 from September 1972


In the latter part of the 19th Century, compulsory attendance at school ceased to be a matter for local option. Children had to attend between the ages of five and 10 though with some local discretion such as early leaving in agricultural areas.

1893 - leaving age raised to 11
1899 - leaving age raised to 12
1918 - full-time education compulsory from 5 to 14, exemptions dropped
1936 - leaving age to be raised to 15 from 1939, not implemented because of the outbreak of war
1944 - legislation to enable raising leaving age to 15, and 16 "as soon as it was practicable"
1947 - leaving age raised to 15

content from pregnancy question and answersRenting&RealEstate

1959 - report recommending leaving age of 16
1963 - another report recommended 16
1964 - preparations for change begin
1968 - change postponed
1971 - leaving age raised to 16 from September 1972
1997 - all children must remain in education until the last schoolday in June in the year they turn 16

Leaving age? Do you mean dropping out? In my state it is and always has been 18. If your parents want to remove you earlier they must find alternative education plans.