There is a complete contradiction in terms of policy. The government promised autonomy, which means trusting teachers. Telling schools how to organise their classes completely flies in the face of this.
"The evidence shows that setting is not always effective and should be used carefully."
Labour's shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt had called on the education secretary to reject political involvement in such school decisions.
"I believe that excellent heads and great teachers know better than Westminster politicians how to deliver the best schooling for all pupils.
"We thought there was political consensus on the importance of school autonomy.
"It is worrying to see an education secretary two months in the job thinking she knows best how every school should teach every subject.