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Will Andy Burnham’s plan to retool education work? | Letters

The Guardian UK Thursday 30 July 2026, 17:06 UTC By Guardian Staff 1 min read
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Readers on the prime minister’s attempt to put academic and technical education routes on an equal footing in EnglandI find the debate about the purported conflict between academic and technical education baffling and somewhat amusing (Burnham to tell schools in England to adapt teaching to local business needs, 28 July).In the 1950s, I attended Northampton technical high school. I studied the sciences plus English, French and technical (engineering) drawing to GCE level. I also did...

Readers on the prime minister’s attempt to put academic and technical education routes on an equal footing in England

I find the debate about the purported conflict between academic and technical education baffling and somewhat amusing (Burnham to tell schools in England to adapt teaching to local business needs, 28 July).

In the 1950s, I attended Northampton technical high school. I studied the sciences plus English, French and technical (engineering) drawing to GCE level. I also did hands-on workshops in woodwork, metalwork and leatherwork (Northampton being a traditional shoemaking town). At A-level, I passed physics, chemistry and double maths, and studied physics at Leeds University. I also sang in choirs.

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Will Andy Burnham’s (PERSON) Burnham (PERSON) England (LOCATION) Northampton (LOCATION) French (ORG) GCE (ORG) physics at Leeds University (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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