Teenagers will be able to specialise in vocational subjects while at secondary school, under reforms of the school curriculum.

The changes will enable pupils to drop all but a handful of academic subjects, as the government seeks to widen participation in work-related training.

This could mean that pupils divide their time between the classroom and workplace training.

The plans for expanding vocational education and encouraging young people to stay in training were announced on Tuesday in a green paper on the curriculum for 14 to 19 year olds.

This "freeing up" of the curriculum will mean that pupils will be able to drop subjects such as modern languages and science at the age of 14.

Equal status

The government wants to emphasise a "parity of esteem" between academic and vocational education.

This will see academic and vocational A-levels and GCSEs running alongside each other, with the aim of raising the status of vocational training.

And is hoped that this widening of options will keep almost all pupils in education until the age of 19.

Education Secretary Estelle Morris has said that too many pupils who are "switched off" by academic subjects leave school at 16.

Pupils who have lost interest in traditional academic subjects will be now be more able to opt for training which is clearly linked to the world of work.

The increase in vocational training is also intended to address the skills shortages in industry.

This will include a range of new A-levels and GCSEs in vocational subjects, in areas such as engineering, manufacturing and tourism.