A HEADMASTER has slammed Government ministers for panicking when they came under fire for the way they introduced new national exams.

Dr David Hempsall, head of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, said the introduction of AS levels for 17-year-olds had been the biggest single development of the year.

But he said: "In the face of criticism, the Government panicked."

And the way the achievements of pupils and teachers had been devalued had been "nothing short of appalling," Dr Hempsall added.

"The ministers ordered a review and the outcomes have just recently been published. I regard this as a knee-jerk reaction," the headmaster told parents and teachers at QEGS' annual prizegiving last night at King George's Hall.

He said there were, of course, things wrong with AS: too much assessment detracted from teaching and learning time. "But at this early stage, some tweaking could have been made. The whole apparatus needed time to settle in. Instead, we got hysterical comments from people who should know better.

"Yet again, their comments had the effect of devaluing the achievements of candidates and their teachers. This is and was nothing short of appalling."

The school had felt something close to betrayal, he added.

Dr Hempsall said QEGS' AS level results had been "simply stunning", with the pass rate at grade A almost double the national average.

"Simply put, we don't recognise what the media has reported: teachers stressed out, pupils unable to cope and extra-curricular activities restricted."

The school had planned meticulously - "and the students, with our encouragement, got stuck in."

Turning to pass rates, he said: "Each year, the media have a field day as the percentage pass rates at GCSE and A level inch upwards. How demoralising for students who have done well to have their achievements discredited by slack comment made by the semi-informed

"I feel very strongly that there should be an embargo on this annual summer sport.

"The youngsters in our care can only do well in the examinations that are set.

"It's up to others to ensure that examination standards are maintained or preferably raised.

"For my part, I cannot see the point of the debate about whether or not standards in public examinations are rising or falling, though, if you believe the statistics, children taking public examinations have become more intelligent every year for the past 17 years."

The prizes were presented by a former pupil at the school, Professor Sir Netar Mallick, Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Infirmary.