The government wants to end the "bogus divide" between academic and non-academic children.

Young apprenticeships for school pupils aged 14 to 16 will mean they can spend two days a week learning a trade while studying some GCSEs to keep open the option of A Levels.

School leavers could move on to full apprenticeships, equal to five GCSEs, and advanced apprenticeships, worth two good A levels, which could be used to claim a university place.

Ivan Lewis, the skills minister, said: "If you are going to reach out to a wide range of young people to do apprenticeships, not just those defined as low-achievers, you have got to make clear that there are progression opportunities that could lead to higher education."