text: leaving school at 16? a child is 16 in november he is a year behind most other 16 year olds because of the way of intake.  he turns 16  in the november 2006 can he leave school then and strike out by him self or dose he have to stay on at school until the appropriate leaving date in may/june in 2007 i think you can leave school at 16. you can go for holiday or can get a job then nowadays age 16 is like an adult you are felt more like an adult and can do what you want to do.