The announcement follows poor test results which showed fewer seven and 14-year-olds were able to write properly this year.

Mr Balls's comments come as teachers warn that "bored" pupils are demanding to be "spoon-fed" techniques for passing exams, instead of receiving a real education.

Addressing the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, Mr Balls will say: "We will break down all the barriers to opportunity in Britain, so that everyone can aspire and succeed and no child is left behind.

"We need to raise our sights because we cannot rest until we have an education system that is world class and world class for all."

Mr Balls will promise a new initiative called "every child a writer", following similar existing schemes in reading and maths.

Results showed writing standards for seven-year-olds fell for the second year in a row in 2007, leaving 107,000 children unable to produce adequate written English.

Among 14-year-olds in England, the national Sats results showed an even sharper fall in writing this year, with more than a quarter failing to reach the expected standards.