Schools in Bradford have voiced their alarm at the Government's new plans for teaching English in the classroom.

Teachers are now beginning to pick through the detailed national literacy strategy launched by Education Secretary David Blunkett last week.

The strategy sets out a complex and detailed plan on what pupils should be taught from reception class to Year 6.

It even breaks this down into the areas that should be covered each term.

Teachers have also been concerned by the use of words and phrases that have either become obsolete or are little heard of, such as concrete poetry, kenning and cinquain.

The new strategy is designed to be covered by the new literacy hour which will ensure that all children get at least an hour of English a day up to the age of 11.

Chris Milone, Bradford middle school heads' convenor, said: "It is extremely prescriptive.

"There is not much room for flexibility to adapt to individual and unique circumstances.

"It also seems very biased towards a white, middle-class scheme of work."

Brendan Grant, head at Thorpe Middle, where 69 per cent of its 11-year-old pupils reached the expected national standard in English last year, said he favoured a structured approach.

"The strategy will help a lot of schools where children are having problems because it will put a new focus on the areas that need to be taught," he said.

"The danger is that the strategy will take out the individuality, creativity and passion of teachers."

Professor Michael Barber, the Government's chief standards adviser, said the new framework was "crucial" if the national targets in literacy were to be met by 2002.

Bradford's target is to get 75 per cent of all 11-year-olds to level four in the curriculum by 2002.

Last year, that figure was 54 per cent.

Prof Barber said: "I'm sure some people will say the framework is too prescriptive but I think the majority of teachers will realise this allows them to develop real creativity and professionalism without having to worry about the added burden of planning."

John Flockton, at Gregory Middle, which has already installed an expensive computer programme to lift standards in literacy, welcomed the strategy.

"It will be a powerful initiative in raising standards in literacy particularly in schools where there are a lot of children where books are just not part of the culture."

Five summer literacy schools will be run in Bradford this year at Yorkshire Martyrs, Eccleshill Upper, Bowling Community College, Greenhead Grammar and Grange Upper.

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