Technical schools will bring divisions, says union

Pupils could effectively be selected by assumptions about their abilities and previous achievement, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said.

It raised concerns that young people were being pushed into taking either academic or vocational qualifications at the age of 14, which may not suit their abilities or aspirations.

There will be a two-tier system which will lead to a "fractured" society in which "the practical people are split from the clever people", delegates at the NUT's annual conference in Liverpool said.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced last week that the first in a network of University Technical Colleges (UTCs) for 14 to 19-year-olds would open in 2012.

Plans for the network were proposed by former Tory Education Secretary Lord Baker and the late Lord Dearing.

Sponsored by Aston University, the 600-pupil college will specialise in engineering and manufacturing.

The Tories have pledged to set up technical schools across England, starting in the 12 biggest cities.

Technical schools began to be established after the Second World War, but faded out in the 1950s. The NUT argued that their re-introduction is a return to a "discredited" policy.

Former NUT president Baljeet Ghale told delegates: "I speak with alarm about the separate paths which students are being channelled into at the age of 14, either vocational or academic.

"There is a push from local authorities that schools offer vocational courses not, it seems to me, because it's good for the young people we teach, but because these courses are part of the Government's agenda to create yet another kind of school.

"In fact both the Labour Government and the Conservative opposition envisage the creation of new types of institution designed only to meet the needs of specific groups of learners, such as technical schools.

"We need to be extremely concerned about this. Going back to an already discredited policy which we had decades ago can only lead to a difference in value between different types of institution."

NUT head of education John Bangs said there were concerns about new technical schools effectively leading to selection by the back door.

"There is a real fear about a move towards selection by division, selection by direction and selection by assumption, with these routes being mapped out for the kids for evermore."

Delegates passed a resolution instructing the union to campaign against "any attempts to introduce selection of pupils at 14" and for a system of vocational education which has equal status to academic qualifications.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "This won't create a two-tier system - the diploma is about bridging the age-old and damaging divide between vocational and academic education.

"All University Technical College students will study the broad mainstream curriculum up to 14 and then sit GCSEs, alongside more specialised courses, so they have a breadth of qualifications under their belts."