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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Reform school study, Tory argues | Reform school study, Tory argues |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pupils should be allowed to study a wider range of subjects for longer, the shadow education secretary is to say. | Pupils should be allowed to study a wider range of subjects for longer, the shadow education secretary is to say. |
| As part of a policy review, the Tories should consider plans to make more pupils study modern languages, David Willetts will say in a presentation. | As part of a policy review, the Tories should consider plans to make more pupils study modern languages, David Willetts will say in a presentation. |
| More should also study individual sciences and history, he will add. | More should also study individual sciences and history, he will add. |
| The Department for Education and Skills said standards had risen "at every level" since 1997 thanks to investment, reform and excellent teaching. | |
| The Tories want to concentrate on the subjects learnt and the standards achieved, marking a shift away from the debate on how schools are organised. | The Tories want to concentrate on the subjects learnt and the standards achieved, marking a shift away from the debate on how schools are organised. |
| That has dominated the political debate over education recently. | That has dominated the political debate over education recently. |
| Policy ideas | Policy ideas |
| On Monday, heads of languages at dozens of top universities called on the government to reverse a decision allowing pupils to drop language study. | On Monday, heads of languages at dozens of top universities called on the government to reverse a decision allowing pupils to drop language study. |
| The decision to make languages at 14 to 16 optional was made two years ago but the government has asked Lord Dearing to look at the decline in the subject. | The decision to make languages at 14 to 16 optional was made two years ago but the government has asked Lord Dearing to look at the decline in the subject. |
| In his address, Mr Willetts will argue there is a strong case for pupils being obliged to study languages up until the age of 16. | In his address, Mr Willetts will argue there is a strong case for pupils being obliged to study languages up until the age of 16. |
| Mr Willetts also believes more pupils should be encouraged to study individual science subjects - such as physics or chemistry - rather than combined sciences. | Mr Willetts also believes more pupils should be encouraged to study individual science subjects - such as physics or chemistry - rather than combined sciences. |
| 'Public concerns' | |
| And the decision, made under a Conservative government, to get rid of the requirement to study history up to 16 should be revisited, he will argue | And the decision, made under a Conservative government, to get rid of the requirement to study history up to 16 should be revisited, he will argue |
| BBC correspondent Terry Stiastny said that, while the suggestions were still policy ideas rather than commitments for the party, the Conservatives believed they reflected public concerns. | BBC correspondent Terry Stiastny said that, while the suggestions were still policy ideas rather than commitments for the party, the Conservatives believed they reflected public concerns. |
| The Department for Education and Skills said standards had risen at every level since 1997. | |
| A spokesman said: "Through our recent Education Act, we are helping schools move to the next level, building on these achievements and enabling every school to raise standards even further and help every child reach their full potential." |