An ESRI study into the causes of early school drop-out has found that the relationship between teachers and pupils and the use of creative teaching approaches are key to keeping children at risk in school.
The study 'No Way Back' also found that practices such as streaming students according to their academic ability had a significant negative effect on school drop-out levels.
The ESRI followed students in 12 second-level schools from their first year right through.
It also conducted in-depth interviews with 25 young people who had dropped out.
It found that those at risk are most likely to be working class and male. Their process of disengagement begins with early experience of educational failure, often in primary school.
The report finds a positive school climate, with active teaching methods and children grouped flexibly in mixed ability settings is important for keeping people in school.
For people who have left, their employment experience is mostly limited to low-quality jobs, or unemployment.
The study found that most express strong regret for leaving school.
