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Education Secretary Michael Gove outlines education reforms; - And it would align us with the expectations other advanced countries have of their children. Nearly every other developed country in the world children are assessed in a range of core academic subjects at 15 or 16 even if they are on a “vocational” route. This is true in Europe where – for example in France all children take the Brevet des Colleges which assesses French, Maths, History/Geography/Civics and a Modern Foreign Language. In places like Holland that have separate vocational routes from the beginning of secondary school all children are still typically assessed on the core academic subjects (in Holland this is languages, arts, science, maths and history). In Finland – the best performing country in Europe according to international league tables all children are assessed in maths, Finnish, history, science and art/music at GCSE age. In Asia there is typically assessment of the whole core curriculum at GCSE level. In Singapore, for example, all pupils must take English, another language, Maths, Science, humanities, + one other subject (of course they also still use O levels in Singapore). And in the States nearly all schools have mandatory assessment during high school in maths, English, science and social studies (including history and politics). We are extremely unusual in having no requirement to study anything academic apart from English, Maths and Science after fourteen (and only English/Maths have to be assessed using GCSE). Taken altogether the changes we want to make represent a formidable reform programme. A more autonomous school system led by professionals; a new generation of brilliant teachers; a new era of discipline in our schools; a fairer funding system; a simpler and more challenging curriculum and a qualifications system that restores standards rather than diminishing them. I’m under no illusions about how tough it will be to drive this programme...