Further education colleges and schools would have to create attractive learning programmes, but everyone had to play their part - resources from government, commitment from employers and motivation from families, he said.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Law change to raise learning age

An ASCL survey suggested that more than 80% of heads of further education colleges, sixth form colleges and schools with sixth forms believed they would have to reduce the choice of courses they offered while 83% said they believed this age group should attract more rather than less funding than younger pupils.

BBC: Sixth-form funding dip 'could stymie' talent, Gove warned

This would allow Scottish Ministers to recover the costs of Education Scotland carrying out inspections in independent further education colleges and English language schools.

BBC: Education Committee

The committee then unanimously agreed to approve the draft Public Services (Recovery of Expenses in respect of Inspection of Independent Further Education Colleges and English Language Schools) (Scotland) Order 2012.

BBC: Education Committee

Chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council, which funds further education, Mark Haysom thanked schools, colleges and young people for their hard work.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Record numbers stay in education

The tables include schools without sixth forms, schools with sixth forms, and further education colleges that take only 16-18-year-old students.

BBC: Guide: Secondary league tables

The trial this year involved 155 schools, sixth form centres and further education colleges, selected to be broadly representative of the whole state and independent sectors.

BBC: Assessing the value schools add