Andy Burnham calls for Ucas-style applications system for apprenticeships

Shadow education secretary says teenagers should be able to apply for apprenticeships in the same way they do for university The shadow education secretary has called for the creation of a national Ucas-style system for apprenticeships to provide a clear path for teenagers who do not go to university. Andy Burnham told delegates at the Labour party conference in Liverpool: “As a country, we haven’t focused anything like enough on the opportunities for the 50% or more of kids who don’t plan to go to university. Young people who want to head towards work or an apprenticeship are left to fend for themselves.” Burnham’s speech echoed Blair’s “education, education, education” mantra. He said because of the foundations laid by Blair, Labour could go further towards: “aspiration, aspiration, aspiration”. Before his speech, delegates were addressed by Andrew Chubb, a headteacher from Hull, who said the government’s English baccalaureate was damaging and divisive. The English baccalaureate is awarded to pupils who achieve good GCSE passes in English, maths, science, a foreign language and geography. Chubb has launched an alternative called the modern baccalaureate for pupils who gain passes in eight GCSE subjects including English, maths, science and information and communications technology. Burnham called for a true baccalaureate , which would prepare young people for the modern world. He argued that the education secretary, Michael Gove, was promoting Latin and ancient Greek – two of the GCSE options in the English baccalaureate – over engineering, ICT and business studies. “I want as many children as possible to take the subjects in the English baccalaureate. But they are not right for everyone. And yet the message is clear – any school or student who doesn’t succeed is second best. As we have heard today, there is a growing grassroots rejection of Mr Gove and his elitist and divisive policies.” Burnham said free schools “can embody the comprehensive ideal”, but warned this ideal was under attack from changes to the school admissions code and the use of the English baccalaureate as a measure. Before his speech, the conference was also addressed by Yvonne Sharples, a headteacher from a school in Speke, who endeared herself to delegates by declaring: “I was never really cut out for school – I was naughty.” She praised her teachers, who “kept on nurturing me”. Her school has been turned around after going into special measures, the Ofsted term for a failing school. It has gone from 1% of children achieving five good GCSE passes, including English and maths, to 29% this summer. She criticised Gove’s decision to raise the minimum standard for secondary schools from 30% to 35% last year. “In Mr Gove’s eyes we are a failing school,” she said. “Shame on you, Michael, how dare you? 47% of my students gain English GCSE. They believe they’re the best kids in the world because that’s what we tell them.” Labour conference 2011 Andy Burnham Labour Labour conference Jeevan Vasagar guardian.co.uk

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