The Bookseller.com

12th October 2008

Educational boost welcomed

08.11.07 Tom Tivnan

Educational publishers have welcomed Prime Minister Gordon Brown's proposal to raise the school leaving age by two years, saying it represents a "definite opportunity" to increase sales.

The Education and Skills Bill, introduced in the Queen's Speech this week, would raise the school leaving age in England and Wales from 16 to 17 by 2013 and then to 18 in 2015. Those who take jobs before they are 18 will have to do at least one day of accredited training either in the workplace or at a recognised institution. The bill includes a duty on young people to comply with this regulation—and also a duty on their parents "to assist their children to participate".

Graham Servanté, m.d. of Co­ordination Group Publishing (CGP), said that while the detail of the government's proposal needs to be studied, the bill presents a "definite opportunity". "From a selfish publishing point of view, there is an inevitability that this means more courses and, obviously, more books," he said.

CGP, which specialises in A-level course books, might use the policy switch to branch out into other areas, such as further education and vocational courses. "It is something we would certainly consider," Servanté added.

Duncan Enright, Elsevier's UK division publishing director, also welcomed the government's change of policy. He added: "It will be interesting to see if in practice this becomes ‘schoolified' or if the government encourages participation from colleges, vocational courses or the workplace.

"But as a publisher, the key thing is that we have to think of new ways to engage with these particular students. We are not talking about the most motivated students, so we need to make our books and electronic products relevant."

Eleanor Apps, head of marketing for secondary schools at Oxford University Press, said: "We always work closely with government and teachers, and we will respond to this. Educational publishing is unique in that it is the interface between the government and teachers. We will continue to work with teachers to help them with their needs."

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