Vouchers for top pupils criticised

One of the largest teaching unions has criticised a scheme which will give the brightest pupils in England's schools vouchers to spend on extra lessons and activities.

Jerry Bartlett, from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), said he was "dubious" about how the scheme would raise educational standards.

Children of all abilities should be helped to reach their full potential, rather than the focus being on the cleverest, Mr Bartlett, the NASUWT's deputy general secretary claimed.

A vouchers system is to be introduced into schools for the first time allowing the country's top 800,000 pupils to "buy" extra classes, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Every primary and secondary school will be asked to name 10% of their pupils who best meet the criteria for the "gifted and talented" programme when they fill in the January schools census.

The non-profit education company, the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT), will deliver the initiative, which is being spearheaded by schools minister Lord Adonis.

CfBT development director, Tim Emmett, said: "The Government is seeing this as part of school improvement rather than a lifeboat for a few bright children. If you can raise the meter for 10% of children in a school you can do it for the other 90% as well."

But Mr Bartlett said: "I am dubious about the extent to which it will contribute to raise the educational standards. I wish there was as much concern shown to enable pupils with special needs to realise their full potential.

"I think schools should focus on all pupils and the objective should be to enable all pupils of all abilities to achieve their potential, whether they are gifted and talented, of medium ability or have special needs."

Each pupil will initially receive 151 credits which act as vouchers towards extra lessons. CfBT will invite companies, independent schools, universities and other educational bodies to offer activities for an agreed fee.