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Ed Balls to focus on basic skills Watchdog to tackle exam standards
(30 minutes later)
Education Secretary Ed Balls is to unveil proposals to boost literacy and numeracy and try to end allegations that exams have been dumbed down. The exam system in England is to be put in the hands of an independent watchdog to counter criticism that GCSEs and A-levels are getting easier.
He will announce plans for a new body, split away from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, charged with the task of maintaining exam standards. The body will be split from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Education Secretary Ed Balls is to announce at Labour's conference.
He will also unveil proposals to add a new "every child a writer" programme. He said he wants pupils, parents and employers to have confidence in exam standards being maintained.
He is also due to unveil plans to boost literacy and numeracy.
Proposals include adding a new "every child a writer" programme.
It will run alongside existing reading and maths schemes to ensure all primary school pupils learn to write and spell.It will run alongside existing reading and maths schemes to ensure all primary school pupils learn to write and spell.
In his keynote speech at the Labour Party conference on Wednesday, Mr Balls will also restate the government's plans to raise the school leaving age to 18, crackdown on cyber bullying, boost teachers' authority and support parents. In his keynote speech at the conference on Wednesday, Mr Balls will also restate the government's plans to raise the school leaving age to 18, crackdown on cyber bullying, boost teachers' authority and support parents.
End bullyingEnd bullying
Mr Balls will say it is time to end the "sterile debate about dumbing down".Mr Balls will say it is time to end the "sterile debate about dumbing down".
"I want to end young people being told that the GCSE or A-level grades they are proud of aren't worth what they used to be," he will say."I want to end young people being told that the GCSE or A-level grades they are proud of aren't worth what they used to be," he will say.
"I want parents, universities, employers and young people themselves to be confident that exam standards are being maintained.""I want parents, universities, employers and young people themselves to be confident that exam standards are being maintained."
He will insist new diplomas for 14 to 19 year olds will "provide for the first time, high quality academic and vocational training that can compete with the best qualifications".He will insist new diplomas for 14 to 19 year olds will "provide for the first time, high quality academic and vocational training that can compete with the best qualifications".
Mr Brown will take questions from delegatesMr Brown will take questions from delegates
On bullying, he will tell delegates: "No child in 21st century Britain should go to school in fear or be prevented from learning because of their race, their disability or their sexuality.On bullying, he will tell delegates: "No child in 21st century Britain should go to school in fear or be prevented from learning because of their race, their disability or their sexuality.
"So I ask all parents, teachers and young people across Britain to join us in our new campaign. No child, and no teacher too, subject to bullying in the classroom or after school."So I ask all parents, teachers and young people across Britain to join us in our new campaign. No child, and no teacher too, subject to bullying in the classroom or after school.
"No cyber bullying on mobile phones, no homophobic bullying in the playground.""No cyber bullying on mobile phones, no homophobic bullying in the playground."
He will say that teachers should be given the authority and support needed to get on with their jobs and will be given powers to tackle truancy and enforce discipline.He will say that teachers should be given the authority and support needed to get on with their jobs and will be given powers to tackle truancy and enforce discipline.
Turning to parents, he will say they need more support in the job of bringing up children.Turning to parents, he will say they need more support in the job of bringing up children.
Brown questionsBrown questions
Mr Balls will promise greater efforts to tackle the causes of youth crime, more early intervention when vulnerable families need extra support and more help for children in care or needing speech and language therapy, as part of a national children's plan.Mr Balls will promise greater efforts to tackle the causes of youth crime, more early intervention when vulnerable families need extra support and more help for children in care or needing speech and language therapy, as part of a national children's plan.
Later, Prime Minister Gordon Brown will make his second set-piece appearance when he faces questions from Labour delegates.Later, Prime Minister Gordon Brown will make his second set-piece appearance when he faces questions from Labour delegates.
The session is designed to give ordinary party members the opportunity to quiz him about his beliefs and key policies.The session is designed to give ordinary party members the opportunity to quiz him about his beliefs and key policies.
But it is possible he may be asked to finally clear up the mystery of when he will be calling the next general election - particularly in the wake of the latest poll suggesting he has a huge 11-point lead over the Tories.But it is possible he may be asked to finally clear up the mystery of when he will be calling the next general election - particularly in the wake of the latest poll suggesting he has a huge 11-point lead over the Tories.
Any delegate who does manage to pose the question on everyone's lips is unlikely to get an answer.Any delegate who does manage to pose the question on everyone's lips is unlikely to get an answer.
It is widely believed Mr Brown is still toying with the possibility of calling a snap autumn poll and, in the wake of his speech on Monday and his continuing poll showing, odds have shortened.It is widely believed Mr Brown is still toying with the possibility of calling a snap autumn poll and, in the wake of his speech on Monday and his continuing poll showing, odds have shortened.
But the prime minister is not ready to reveal his intentions yet and is expected to keep a close eye on the polls and the Conservative conference in Blackpool next week before finally coming to a decision.But the prime minister is not ready to reveal his intentions yet and is expected to keep a close eye on the polls and the Conservative conference in Blackpool next week before finally coming to a decision.