Generation risks 'cultural and intellectual impoverishment' because of school curriculum geared to job market

Bernice McCabe, head of North London Collegiate School, said that teachers desperately want to communicate 'the richness of their subjects and the sheer enjoyment of studying them'.

Instead, the curriculum and assessment have been designed around 'functionality', with emphasis on making lessons 'relevant' and accessible.

Warning: Teachers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the curriculum, a leading headmistress said yesterday (file picture)

Mrs McCabe was addressing the Prince of Wales's seventh education summer school at Homerton College, Cambridge, of which she is course director.

She said: 'One aspect of education policy that has depressed many teachers has been the pervasive rationale that the over-riding purpose of education is to enhance the economic competitiveness of the nation.

'One serious consequence has been the emphasis on functional learning which may lead to the cultural and intellectual impoverishment of a generation of schoolchildren.'

Previous summer schools had found that pupils are encouraged by being challenged and can enjoy difficulty.

'By ensuring that all pupils are taught the aspects of our subjects that we most value rather than those that are immediately accessible, we can raise standards too.'