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Alistair Wylie, interim chairman of UHI Perth's management board, said provision of higher and further education remained central to the institution's mission.

While many students showed positive behaviour, Estyn found patterns varied across different types of students and courses in further education colleges.

"That's the interesting thing about that strange time between school and further education, because the bond that you have with your friends from school will never be closer, tighter than it is during that summer," he explains.

But in Northern Ireland, no such plan is in place which can leave young people and their families without a pathway or the support needed for further education and employment.

With a budget of £960m, it has taken over responsibility for funding and regulating universities, further education and training as well as school sixth forms.