The introduction of new style technical schools designed to train youngsters for careers like building and engineering will lead to a two-tier education system, teachers are set to warn.
A motion to be put forward at the National Union of Teachers (NUT) annual conference in Liverpool expresses "deep concern" that there is a divide developing between academic and vocational qualifications. The union also rejects proposals for the technical schools.
Schools secretary Ed Balls announced that the first in a network of University Technical Colleges for 14 to 19-year-olds (UTCs) will open in 2012.
Plans for the network were proposed by former Conservative education secretary Lord Baker and the late Lord Dearing.
Sponsored by Aston University, the 600-pupil college will specialise in engineering and manufacturing.
The Tories have pledged to set up technical schools across England, starting in the 12 biggest cities.
The resolution instructs the union to campaign against "any attempts to introduce selection of pupils at 14" and for a system of vocational education which has equal status to academic qualifications.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "The introduction of numerous different qualifications alongside the proposals to create UTCs is extremely divisive.
"Attempting to separate 'technical' or 'vocational' education from mainstream schools will lead to a two tier system with technical schools being seen as the poor cousin. The NUT has long argued that that all students should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum within a single diploma framework.
"While UTCs will teach English, maths, science and IT alongside 'technical studies' they will not teach languages and creative subjects. This falls far short of anyone's definition of breadth and balance."
