Britain's largest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers, yesterday rejected the government's set of classroom reforms.

The union's ruling executive voted unanimously not to agree to let classroom assistants take lessons in place of teachers.

David Miliband, the school standards minister, responded by insisting that he would still implement the £1 billion package of reforms.

"We will work with all willing partners to make the most of these benefits for children and teachers alike," he said.