Head of Eton calls for GCSE overhaul

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The head of Eton has said the education system should stop overloading pupils with tests.

Tony Little said the number of GCSEs teenagers take should be cut by half to no more than five or six.

He argued that more time should be given to broader courses without exams.

Mr Little said: "We have got into a habit of assessing everything that young people do.

"It is seen often by young people themselves as a virtue that they have 11 or 12 GCSEs.

"Not so long ago, it would be quite normal for young people to take five or six O-levels and a range of other courses that were not examined."

His call to limit the number of GCSEs came after research found English children face more tests from a younger age than those in many other countries.

Mr Little also criticised the dominance of national "Sats" tests, taken by seven, 11 and 14-year-olds, saying more could be "devolved" to teachers.

Eton, which charges annual fees of £26,490 and teaches 1,300 boys aged between 13 and 18, was the top independent school for A-level results last year.