Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cameron: focus on core school subjects

Education Editor,Richard Garner
Wednesday 06 December 2006 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A return to the days when history and foreign languages were compulsory for all children up until the age of 16 could be on the cards if the Conservatives win the next election.

The Tory leader David Cameron said his policy review group on education was studying the idea in the light of new figures showing GCSE performance in core academic subjects, including English, maths, science and a language, had fallen in the past decade.

Much of the decline was due to a slump in the take-up of languages following the Government's decision to make the subject voluntary for 14 to 16-year-olds three years ago, according to the Conservative education spokesman David Willetts. Mr Cameron said he wanted changes to the curriculum "to ensure a proper focus on the core subjects of English, maths, history and modern languages". He said this was "the birthright of every child".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in