TEACHERS in Bolton have called for greater freedom to teach.

They say the national curriculum is restrictive and leaves little time for educational trips.

And they believe any changes made in the government's current review would need to be supported by extra staff and money.

Proposals have been put forward by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) requiring schools to include more trips to museums, plays and art galleries.

It also calls for learning between subjects to be combined. For example in science and physical education teachers would work together to teach pupils about anatomy.

A move to increase the role of after-school activities, including clubs, music and sport has also been proposed.

But Sara Cain, assistant head of Harper Green School in Farnworth, said: "The restraints of the national curriculum means there has been no time for enrichment activities such as trips to museums.

"I would love to have the freedom to say to children to get in the minibus and go and see, for example, a waterfall as part of their geography lessons.

"Like many Bolton schools we have placed a big emphasis on school trips but it is hard work especially given the legal issues today."

Teachers unions warned that the outcome of the curriculum review could become another burden on schools if it is not properly thought through.

Secretary of the Bolton branch of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, John Reddy: "On the face of it, it sounds like yet another Government initiative, an extra burden on teachers.

"Any changes need to be supported by staff and cash."

Teachers, parents and pupils will able to take part in the review by completing an online questionnaire at the website, www.qca.org.uk Sue Horner, head of development for the QCA said: "People now have the chance to tell us what they think and shape the future of what is learnt and how it is learnt."

Final recommendations will be presented to the Education Secretary on June 5.

QCA pledged this week at the launch of the Secondary Curriculum Review in London, not to cut traditional topics such as Shakespeare's plays and the World Wars from schools' learning programmes.

Changes that will be made include making Britain's involvement in the slave trade a compulsory history topic for secondary schools and teaching languages such as Urdu.