Pupils returning to school will be the first generation to stay on until 17

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It is the first stage of a two-part reform, which will see the school leaving age raised to 18 for pupils now aged nine and starting Year Five.

The measure, the first change to the school leaving age since 1972, when it was raised from 15 to 16, is aimed at denting the numbers classed as 'Neet' - Not in Education, Employment or Training.

Returning school students will be the first generation to stay at school until they are 17 under new government reforms

But critics blasted it as a ' sledgehammer' approach that would damage the interests of pupils currently able to leave the academic world and start work at 16.

Under the Government's plans, youngsters will initially face fines if they fail to stay in school or training. If they do not pay up, they could be ordered to complete unpaid work in the community or present themselves at 'attendance centres'.

Children's secretary Ed Balls said he wanted to stop young people dropping out of education

The first change to the leaving age will come in the academic year starting in 2013, when it is raised to 17, and the second change - to 18 - in the academic year beginning in 2015.

Outlining his 'vision' for the new school year, Mr Balls said: 'I want to see a situation where every single young person has a range of interesting, exciting and challenging options ahead of them at every stage of their education, so that they never feel tempted to drop out or give up.'

But the reform, currently progressing through Parliament, has proved hugely controversial.

Heads' leaders warned that schools were being forced to implement too many 'rushed' new initiatives at once.

As well as introducing the first batch of secondary school diplomas to rival GCSEs and A-levels, they are required to put in place a new curriculum for 11 to 14-year-olds, and new A-level syllabuses including an extended project.

Mike Stewart, head of Westlands School in Torbay, Devon, said: 'Some members of staff will be involved in all the changes. I don't want pupils' learning to be disrupted to a degree that's going to be unavoidable.'