BRITAIN’s education secretary, John MacGregor, last week revealed new
plans to relax the requirements of national curriculum so that gifted pupils
can take extra subjects. But the plans will not allow any pupils to abandon
the core subjects of the curricu lum – science, mathematics and English
– before they reach the age of 16 years. The new plans affect only those
pupils aged between 14 and 16 years.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Earth
A volcano has erupted remnants of Earth's primordial magma ocean
News

Space
Audacious mission to rescue NASA's falling telescope has launched
News

Life
Orangutan mothers seem to plan playdates for their offspring
News

Environment
Evocative photos of Canadian Arctic win New Scientist Editors Award
Regulars
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Random wobbles in time could finally solve gravity’s greatest mystery
2
A type of fibre that stimulates GLP-1 release approved for use in food
3
Orangutan mothers seem to plan playdates for their offspring
4
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
5
The 4 must-watch science-fiction films of the year so far
6
The world's fastest spider tops 3.5 metres per second
7
A volcano has erupted remnants of Earth's primordial magma ocean
8
What is 'SpudCell'? Arguably the greatest bioengineering feat yet
9
Synthetic biology may finally be ready to solve life's biggest mystery
10
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater