Tories consider school resit year

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Shadow Children Schools and Families Secretary Michael Gove stressed making 11-year-olds stay back rather than go on to secondary schools would be "very much a backstop".

But he told Sky News: "We can't have children going from primary school into secondary school without the skills necessary to make the most of what they are going to be taught in secondary schools."

He added: "What's the benefit of sending them to secondary school if they can't benefit from what they will be taught there?"

The proposals for remedial summer schools or staying back a year will be contained in a policy document on public services to be published by the Conservatives next week. They are not formal party policy but will be considered for inclusion in the next Tory manifesto.

Leader David Cameron said the radical move could form part of a "genuine schools" revolution to drive up standards of literacy and numeracy, and improve discipline.

In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, the Conservative leader also backed calls for an "advantage premium" which would see headteachers' budgets boosted for taking youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Schools could get up to £6,000 extra for each pupil they took - making them more attractive propositions for head teachers worried about bringing in potentially disruptive elements.

Mr Cameron made his grab for the education agenda as Schools Secretary Ed Balls admitted Labour's progress on improving education appeared to have been tailing off during the past year.

Mr Balls is writing to all headteachers marking the start of the new school year, asking them to redouble efforts to enforce discipline and ensure children get basic skills.