'Mixed ability teaching will end'

Children who fall behind in school will, effectively, be held back and made to repeat their lessons while classmates forge ahead, Education Secretary Estelle Morris predicted today.

At the same time, 16-yearolds who are bright enough could spend time in class doing undergraduate courses.

Both possibilities will be created by the £1.8billion being invested in information and computer technology in schools, Ms Morris said when opening an exhibition in London, unveiling her vision of the "classroom of the future".

Teachers have been reluctant to remove children from classmates of the same age, fearful that their social development will be harmed.

However, Ms Morris said pupils in the same room would eventually be able to take part in different lessons via computer links.