The primary school literacy strategy is to be extended to secondary school

Schools will be expected to set their own targets from 2002, in an attempt to repeat the improvements in results that have been made under the testing and targets regime in primary schools.

While test results in primary schools have shown steady improvements, this year's tests for 14-year-olds showed worsening results for English and science.

However the education secretary told the conference that there would be no league tables published ranking schools by their results for the new tests for 12 and 13 year olds.

"Too little is currently expected of pupils in the first year of secondary education. Above all it is necessary to raise expectations and see the new foundations in literacy, numeracy and science at primary level extended and built on the moment children enter secondary education," Mr Blunkett said.

Another 2,500 summer schools are to be made available this year

Details of how the primary school literacy and numeracy strategies will be extended into the first years of secondary level will be published in March, said the education secretary.

This bridging of the gap between primary and secondary schools will also mean an expansion of summer school schemes which help primary school pupils catch-up before transferring to secondary school.

The education secretary announced an extra �10m to fund 2,500 summer schools this year and gave a long-term commitment to make a place in summer school available for every 11-year-old.

Union leaders say that pupils face too much testing

There was also an announcement of adventure-style summer camps for 16-year-olds, which are intended to help bridge the gap between school and work.

These will be aimed mainly at those who leave school without qualifications and with no plans for further education or training.

Testing fatigue

The announcement on more tests for secondary school pupils was not welcomed by teachers' unions.

"Although these tests will be 'voluntary', the reality is that schools will feel pressurised into carrying them out," said the general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, Kay Driver.

"Schools are already seriously overloaded by tests and associated bureaucracy, and pupils are punch-drunk from test after test. Testing has its place, but too many tests turn young people off education."

"You cannot fatten a pig by measuring it. Extra testing does not equal higher standards," said Ms Driver.

Earlier this week teachers warned national tests at age 14 are failing to motivate children or accurately measure their achievements.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) demanded a review of the tests to prevent more teenagers being put off education.

These 14-year-olds must be the most tested youngsters around - the culture of constant testing is a real turn-off for young people.

ATL General Secretary Peter Smith

A survey by the union of nearly 750 teachers of English, maths and science, found more than half believed the tests did not give children the opportunity to demonstrate their full understanding in those subjects.

Among English teachers, more than seven out of 10 said the tests did not give their pupils the chance to shine.

Teachers said after the tests, children seemed "exhausted", and more than one in three feared students would be "turned off" subjects because they did not motivate them to perform well.

The union's general secretary Peter Smith said: "These tests were meant to raise standards, to bridge the gap between primary and secondary school, to motivate students and improve teaching and learning.

"Not only does this study show this is not the case, but government figures also reveal that the results have barely changed over the past five years.

"These 14-year-olds must be the most tested youngsters around. The culture of constant testing is a real turn-off for young people."