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.
The first state schools set to gain 'military academy' status are
understood to be based in Portsmouth and Colchester.
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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.
