Curriculum to be 'More Flexible'

England's secondary curriculum is being overhauled to give teachers more flexibility in the classroom whilst focusing on the basics, ministers say.

A quarter of the school day is to be freed up so that teachers can focus more on individual students' needs.

But more subjects like personal finance and cookery are set to be included - plus languages like Mandarin and Urdu.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls pledged there would be "no dumbing down".

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said the changes would allow teachers to focus on pupils struggling with maths and English, and giving others "extra challenges to motivate and enthuse them".

And more topical issues relevant to youngsters' everyday lives would be introduced.

But Mr Balls stressed that there would also be a focus on "the three Rs".

Employers have been complaining that many youngsters lack basic skills.

Pupils To Get Lessons In Respect