Damian Hinds will highlight the importance of “all the subjects of the future” when he addresses the Conservative Party conference this afternoon.

The education secretary last night said that these subjects would include “the languages of mankind and the languages of machines as well”.

The aim will form part of a call to “double down on academic standards” and ensure that “no child is left behind”.

Speaking ahead of his keynote speech, the education secretary said: “We can’t afford any let-up on academic standards.

“In fact, we need to double down on academic standards and what’s been achieved, and make sure that no child is left behind, and make sure we are learning all the subjects of the future, the languages of mankind and the languages of machines as well.”

Mr Hinds also signalled that he wanted to highlight the importance of the “rounded individual”, as well as that of qualifications.

The theme is an echo of his first speech after being appointed to the Department for Education's top post in January, when he talked about the role of schools in developing pupils' "character" and "workplace skills".

Speaking last night, he said: “I want to emphasise that education is clearly about qualifications – that is the passport, that’s the certification that children leave school with and it’s incredibly important to them in their future careers and future lives, but actually there is very much more to education as well.

“It’s about the rounded individual, it’s about all those other opportunities that you get in school and about the development you get there as well.”

Mr Hinds said he would also call for the country to “really, really raise the bar” when it came to embracing technical and vocational education.