Schools have failed to get to grips with new citizenship classes, inspectors have found.

Despite being given two years' notice before the subject is included in the National Curriculum, many schools have not done enough to incorporate it into their planning, according to Ofsted.

A spokeswoman for the DfES told ePolitix.com: "Citizenship was introduced into the curriculum in 2002 and as the Ofsted report itself says, is still very much in its infancy but we are on the right track.

"Also, the inspection involved only a small number of schools - 25. We do however take on board the Ofsted findings and are doing a lot of work to strengthen the teaching of citizenship in schools."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, ATL's joint acting general secretary, told ePolitix.com: "The surprise is that even 20 per cent of schools have managed to deal with citizenship.

"While the government's intentions were undoubtedly worthy, as usual, they relied on rush and exhortation instead of a sensible lead in time and properly funded planning.

"The government disregards warnings from the professionals at its peril."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

A spokeswoman for the NUT told ePolitix.com: "The Ofsted report seems to suggest that teachers were inadequately prepared to teach these new classes.

"However, the amount of time available for teachers to prepare these lessons is simply not there.

"It is another warning to the government to think before introducing yet more changes to the national curriculum."