Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, is critical of the Government's u-turn on resits. Education secretary Justine Greening announced today that she will abandon statutory resits in year 7 on arrival.

Commenting, Ryan Shorthouse, Director of Bright Blue, said:

"The Conservative Government is wrong not to proceed with their manifesto commitment of requiring children who do not achieve the expected minimum in their exams at primary school to resit them in the first year of secondary school.

"To enjoy - and succeed at - school, children need to have mastered the basics at each key stage. Progressing through the school system without achieving the expected level at each key stage significantly increases the likelihood of poor long-term educational attainment.

"To improve education in this country, we need high expectations for all our children and teachers."