Teenagers to help in class

THOUSANDS of teenagers will work as apprentice classroom assistants under plans announced today.

The scheme could see 16-year-olds supervising classes of 13-year-olds in secondary schools.

Ministers said schools and hospitals had a "poor record" of employing apprentices and set out plans for another 20,000 public sector apprenticeships in the next year.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he wanted to see 4,000 people working as apprentice teaching assistants or other support staff in schools, colleges and nurseries.

Mr Balls was speaking as the Government published a Bill that will guarantee an apprenticeship for all qualified school-leavers.