A BROAD and balanced curriculum that helps youngsters achieve their future goals is essential to meet the individual needs of schoolchildren, the headteacher of one of Bolton’s top performing schools has said.

John Porteous, head of Turton School in Bromley Cross, made his comments following the publication of a damning report about vocational courses and the government’s introduction of the new measure to judge school performance.

The independent Wolf Review into vocational education states many 14-to-16-year-olds are on courses which the league table systems encourage — but which lead children into a dead-end.

The review comes just months after the English Baccalaureate, EBac, was used to judged schools.

Under this system, introduced after pupils had chosen their GCSE subjects, youngsters have to gain a top grade GCSE grade in English, maths, science, history or geography and a foreign language.

Headteacher of Turton, Mr Porteous has insisted his school curriculum would not simply change in response to this, but would continue to be adapted to suit pupils.

He said: “I advised students in year nine who may in future want to go to the top universities or apply for jobs where these academic qualifications will be expected, they should future-proof their option choices by including these five subjects with whatever else they are interested in.

“But for some of our students these academic subjects are simply not the right choice.”

He added: “I really appreciate the reasons behind the introduction of BTecs into schools where there was no real culture of achievement or where students were not engaging with the curriculum.

“However it is a shame some schools have used the BTec and other vocational qualifications to try and boost their league table positions.

“It was inevitable the government was going to wise up to the situation and downgrade these courses.

“For some students they were, and still are, the right courses to follow.”The vocational route is being extended through to sixth form which will lead students through to university, or a chosen career in business, public service or the media.

Mr Porteous said: “We are more interested in a broad and balanced curriculum, which is adapted as far as possible to their individual needs, interests and abilities.”