HUNDREDS of East Riding sixth-formers are dropping out of school without completing their A-level studies.
One in four students is deserting East Riding secondary schools by the end of their first year of sixth form.
Out of 1,925 pupils who started Year 12 at one of the county's 17 sixth forms, 474 dropped out – 24.6 per cent of students starting in 2010-11.
Now, an in-depth investigation has been ordered by East Riding Council's children and young people overview and scrutiny committee to find out why such huge numbers are not staying on for a second year after AS level.
Councillor Kerri Harold, chairman of the committee, said: "I am shocked and saddened by the drop-out rate.
"When you see a big drop-out rate like that, you have to equate each statistic to a young person not feeling they were on the right course, for whatever reason.
"We need to look into this data and find out if we have any hotspots or any areas really lacking in provision."
Cllr Harold said students must have the support they need to make the right choices at post-16.
She said: "Those drop-out rates desperately need to come down.
"What no one wants is for any child to feel they have failed in their choices."
Figures show many switched to colleges (40 per cent), or went into jobs or training (13 per cent).
Some 4.4 per cent of East Riding students who left by the end of their first year in sixth form ended up as Neets – not in education, employment or training.
Cllr Harold said information and guidance staff in schools must help ensure students do not end up on the wrong courses.
More taster sessions could be needed, as well as more in-depth consultation.
Beverley High School – which had the lowest drop-out rate, at 8.2 per cent – could be asked to share best practice with other secondary schools.
The committee heard economic forecasts suggest higher-level qualifications will become more important.
A report before members said organisations including Education Business Partnership and Jobcentre Plus have been involved in improving skill shortages, together with media campaigns such as 100 apprentices in 100 days, promoted by the Mail's Bounce Back initiative.
Margaret Hicks-Clarke, head of data at the Press Association (PA) in Howden, told the committee basic skills are a minimum requirement of employers.
PA is one of the largest employers in the East Riding with 500 permanent staff. Work includes providing TV listings and scores for Sky Sports.
She said: "Good English and maths skills are important and we want staff to be computer literate.
"We give people a standard test to see they are at the right level of literacy for us, and 50 per cent of people don't get past that test."
Mrs Hicks-Clarke agreed to host a visit by the committee to discuss issues including skills requirements.
