The Armed Forces will be drafted in to run state schools
under plans to drive up discipline and respect in classrooms.
Ministers are in talks with defence chiefs about taking over
a handful of schools and turning them into military academies.
Alongside daily lessons, pupils would be expected to take
part in activities such as drills, uniformed parades, weapons
handling and adventure training.
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The first state schools set to gain 'military academy' status
are understood to be based in Portsmouth and Colchester.
The controversial scheme will initially be in areas where
there are a large number of military families, but is set
to be rolled out across the country.
Ministers believe that children in failing schools would particularly
benefit from a military-style education because it would give
them role models and a more structured existence.
But the plan is likely to raise fears among teaching unions
that the academies could turn into tough 'boot camps' or recruiting
stations.
Last year, union leaders accused the Army of giving children 'misleading propaganda' about life in the Armed Forces.
