School reform sees opposition from Prince Charles

The controversial reforms have led to widespread concern, including opposition from Prince Charles.

Under the Children's Secretary's plans, 13 stand-alone subjects will be merged into six "areas of learning." For example, history, geography and citizenship will be put together into "historical, geographical and social understanding."

Teachers will no longer have to cover certain periods of history such as the Tudors, or choose between the Victorians or the Second World War.

They will have to ensure they cover some British history but government curriculum advisers concluded subject content "simply has to be reduced."

Schools will also be told to devote more time to themed lessons, for example, on social issues such as global warming.

As part of the biggest shake-up since the National Curriculum was introduced in 1988, ministers said on Thursday they could teach history and science together, or history and art.

Technology and blogs

There will also be a greater emphasis on technology in lessons, with youngsters learning about geography through Google Earth and studying blogging in English. Schools will have to teach sex education for children as young as five.

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: "We are moving from the subject-based national curriculum approach that exists within primary schools at the moment, to the six areas of learning. This is a huge step forward."

But critics of the approach warn it smacks of 1970s-style teaching methods. They fear pupils would leave primary school ill-equipped for GCSE and A-level study, where teaching is subject-based.

Office for Standards in Education has warned that when themed lessons are poorly planned, teaching can be superficial and lacking in rigour.

Literature and history

Bernice McCabe, a leading headmistress who also runs a teaching institute on behalf of Prince Charles said: "He is very passionate about the fact that children need a good grasp of literature and that all children need to understand the history of our country. These subjects should remain ..."

The Conservatives say they would retain subject-based teaching in primary schools if they win the next election.

They oppose the teaching of cross-curricular themes, believing children learn best through traditional subjects. Balls on Thursday heralded the end of primary school SATs tests as soon as 2012.

The Children's Secretary signalled a climbdown on testing in the face of a looming boycott by teacher unions next summer.

Balls said he was prepared to consider axing externally-marked tests for 11-year-olds in English and maths in favour of assessment by teachers.

— Daily Mail