Schools to offer technical subjects to pupils from age 14, Burnham says
Secondary school students in England will be able to learn subjects such as manufacturing and artificial intelligence, as well as basic academic learning, under reforms outlined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The government said the courses, which could be offered from Year 10 onwards, would be linked to local industries and designed to give children a clearer route into employment.
Data published this year showed more than a million young people across the UK are not in education, employment or training; this was the highest level in more than 12 years.
The government has described the policy as a “fundamental change to the education system”, but little detail behind the broad political vision has been published so far.
Writing in the Times, externalBurnham said: “In the age of AI, practical and technical skills have not become less valuable; they have become more valuable than ever. “Britain will need brilliant engineers, electricians and cybersecurity experts more than ever.
“For the first time, technical education will be at the heart of our curriculum, rather than on the margins.”
Students will continue to take core math, English and science courses, but will also have the option to combine subjects with technical training.
This will include the chance to gain work experience and connect with local employers, Burnham said.
The Association of School and College Leaders, speaking on behalf of many secondary headteachers, said it welcomed the desire to prevent young people from leaving education or work at 16.
While schools are currently being asked to manage on tight budgets and support radical reforms to address special educational needs, the union also said there was a capacity issue.
The BBC understands the government expects new roads to work to be operational in some areas by 2028.
Burnham said “for far too long” students have been told to take academic courses “to be successful and respected.”
“My message to young people is whether you choose construction, coding, classics, maths, fabrication or mechanics, you will get the skills you need and get the respect you deserve.”
He added that the government had delivered the “big shake-up” needed to tackle Britain’s youth unemployment crisis, starting with improving the availability and quality of technical education.
Alongside the changes to learning, Ofsted will also change the way it measures performance and inspect technical education. It is not clear how this would fit into national measures designed to ensure schools account for the number of pupils taking core academic GCSEs.
