SOUTHAMPTON teenagers are to be among the first in the country to experience the next generation of 14 to 19-year-old education.

The city has been chosen as one of 16 authorities in the country, and the only one in the south east, to try out the government's pilot plans to improve educational options for the age group.

The city's education chiefs expects to get in the region of £300,000 to help push through the changes which come into force next year.

Young people will now be offered a greater range of curriculum choices to suit their skills and prepare them for the world of work.

The decision means Southampton's youth will have access to a mix of academic and vocational courses which, if successful, will be rolled out across the rest of the country.

City education chief councillor Richard Harris called the announcement a "tribute" to Southampton's schools and colleges.

The new system will see talented 14-year-olds given master classes in subjects to speed them through GCSEs early and on to further education. Special needs children will get extra help to pass vocational courses. Youngsters will also be given learning mentors and individual learning plans to help them through their qualifications.

Chief Inspector of Southampton education Rosemary Tong said: "We are honoured to have been named as one of the 16 pathfinder authorities in the country. This funding will allow us to extend these practices to reach even more pupils. We are particularly keen to target higher attaining pupils."

David Miliband, school standards minister said: "Too many young people drop out of education at 16. If we are really determined to build the best education system in the world, and ensure that our workforce is skilled enough to meet the demands of today's economy, we have to increase the number of young people staying on in learning.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOUR CHILDREN:

Increased flexibility in courses and access to a wider range of options

Master classes for particularly able pupils

Involvement of special schools in vocational course developments so more pupils with special educational needs get the qualifications

Slow and fast routes through school to further and higher education

More students taking GCSEs early

Guidance material for Year Nine pupils and their parents to aid decision-making about their education career

Learning mentors to support pupils

Individual learning plans to set achievement targets