Timetable revolution for primary school pupils

Pupils at a Plymouth primary school are to receive specialist tuition in foreign languages, drama and cookery as part of a ground-breaking project to reduce teachers' workload.

Langley Junior School yesterday became the first school to be allowed to use new freedoms to vary the school day. Every Wednesday afternoon, the eight to 11-year-olds will have a range of specialist lessons not normally available to primary pupils under the national curriculum, including French, Spanish, drama and cookery, taught by secondary school specialists and lecturers. Their teachers will use the time for lesson planning and marking.

Langley's plan to vary the timetable from next term was approved yesterday by Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education. It is one of 32 primary and secondary schools in England taking part in the scheme.