MICHAEL Gove's plans for curriculum changes in schools are out to consultation until the middle of next month.
They include recommendations that English lessons should put more emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar.
They also say that children should know their times tables up to 12 by the age of nine and start learning about algebra and geometry by the time they leave primary school.
Meanwhile changes are also afoot in history, with children learning more about how Britain has influenced the world.
And children will, for the first time, have to learn a language – ancient or modern – from the age of seven.
It prompted 100 academics, including Nottingham Trent University professor Michael Bassey, to write to The Independent.
The letter said: "This mountain of data will not develop children's ability to think – including problem-solving, critical understanding and creativity.
"A system which is very, very heavily prescribed and which encourages cramming through tests actually reduces fairly sharply the development of thinking.
"The pupils memorise just enough detail to get over the hurdle of the tests.
"Much of it demands too much, too young. This will put pressure on teachers to rely on rote learning without understanding. Inappropriate demands will lead to failure and demoralisation.
"Whatever the intention, the proposed curriculum in England will result in a 'dumbing down' of teaching and learning.
"The mountains of detail for English, maths and science leave little space for other learning. Speaking and listening, drama and modern media have almost disappeared from English."