The Scots Tory leader, David McLetchie, has said his party plans to let children as young as 14 leave school to take college courses.

Mr McLetchie said the Conservatives wanted to expand vocational training.

It would help youngsters who found school "purposeless" and became disruptive.

He said the Tories would also let schools drop foreign language courses after the second year if pupils were not interested.

Mr McLetchie: "modern apprenticeship"

Mr McLetchie said: "There are many children for whom the academic environment of a school is not suitable.

"We need to expand vocational and skills training for young people.

"We should give them courses that are more relevant.

"It could either be within the school or within a further education college.

The Scottish Tory leader said there were a lot of young people who found school pointless.

They were often those who were involved in disruptive behaviour that held back the education of others.

Proper environment

Mr McLetchie said those children had to be motivated and given skills and vocations that would fit them for life.

He continued: "We are not talking about leaving education.

"We are simply talking about the proper environment for young people, for whom a school may not be suitable."

Under the plans, pupils would continue with basic subjects such as English and maths while taking their modern apprenticeship.

Mr McLetchie said colleges could "be adapted" to meet the needs of 14-year-olds since they already catered for people aged 16.

Asked about his plans for foreign language classes he said: "Schools should be designing courses to suit the aptitudes and desires of the young people they are there to serve."