THE situation is clear - too many disillusioned students are leaving under-qualified and under-prepared for the world of work.

So, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has now promised to end the educational snobbery towards vocational subjects and let pupils study what they want, and the economy needs.

The plan is based on four key principles:

n A choice of vocational courses from the age of 14.

n A renewed focus on maths and English in all schools.

n Stretching the most able students.

n Cutting the numbers of students who leave early.

Under the first section, 14-year-olds will be able to choose from 14 specialist diplomas with three different levels of difficulty.

Each diploma will be made up of academic skills, including a focus on English and maths, and work-orientated training, as checked and agreed by employers.

The first four, in ICT, engineering, health and social care and the media, will be available from 2008.

Another four will be introduced two years later and all 14 will be in Worcestershire schools by 2015.

To improve the basics skills of English and maths there will be additional support, from the age of 11, for pupils who fall behind the expected level. There will also be optional extra questions in exams to stretch the brightest pupils and module results will be available to universities to help differentiate between students.

Finally, to cut the drop out rate, students will be able to mix and match their time between schools, colleges and work placements to find the right balance for them.

The move will require some major changes but will it help Worcestershire's students?

Bernhard Roberts, headteacher at Prince Henry's High School, in Evesham, is unconvinced.

"In Worcestershire I don't think the current education system is failing," he said. "But if one is to believe what we are being told nationally then the shift in emphasis is necessary. In this case, I think Ruth Kelly has missed an opportunity to stop the perceptions that vocational courses are second rate."

However, Mr Roberts was more positive about other areas of Ms Kelly's speech.

"I am very glad she is not trying to do everything in one go," Mr Roberts added. "I also think that revealing AS-level marks to universities is much better than introducing an A* at A-level. It makes sense and I believe it's enough."

So much for the plans and the professionals, but what of those that really matter - the pupils.

At Christopher Whitehead High School, now a specialist language college, students are already able to select vocational-style business studies or manufacturing at the age of 13.

And three Year 10 business students, who combine school lessons with learning at Worcester College of Technology, fully support an increase in vocational options.

"It makes you feel more respected when you are at the college because lecturers know you really want to be there. You are not in a compulsory lesson," said 14-year-old Chris Houlston.

"Plus, once you become keen on one area your interest in other subjects tends to fall away.

"At the moment I have to study another year-and-a-half of German, which I am bad at and won't use. I would have loved the chance to do a vocational media course instead."

Stephanie Claxton agreed: "It doesn't do much for the confidence if you are in a class you don't really like and doing badly all the time.

"The idea of more choices, and more advice, on courses you know are going to help in the future is great."

Luke Harris, who is 14, feels that students currently spend too much time in subjects they will not use - something Ms Kelly's plans will hopefully remedy.

"My brother went into the Army after school and really only needed his maths, English and science qualifications.

"The other lessons that he knew he wouldn't need were a waste of time. Vocational choices would have really helped him out."

However, there may be practical problems with the plans.

What if pupils don't know what they want to study at 14? Is it putting too much pressure on their choice of career, too early?

"As long as the courses teach broad, general work-related skills I don't think it matters," said Chris, who is hoping to go into the film industry.

Fourteen-year-old Stephanie added: "And if you don't like the choice you have made, at least you find out at 15 or 16, rather than later on."

All three agreed there was space in Ms Kelly's plans for more career advice at an earlier age but the trio also agreed it was step in the right direction.