THIS year’s league tables have been called a “new low” for government policy” by the head of an independent school in Bradford.

They have attracted nationwide controversy nationally after a number of high performing private schools were ended up near the bottom.

At many of these schools, pupils have continued to be entered for unregulated versions of qualifications, such as IGCSEs, which have not been recognised this year.

The quirk meant Bradford Grammar School fell from being second best in the Bradford district last year to 31st this year, with only 31 per cent of pupils meeting expected targets in recognised GCSEs.

Headmaster Kevin Riley (pictured) said last night: “The publication of today’s league tables marks a new low for government policy.

“Last summer 11 BGS pupils achieved a clean sweep of ten A* grades and 71 per cent of all grades were graded A*/A. Yet according to tables only 31 per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades.

“It is because our students sit IGCSE examinations in a number of subjects, including maths. These examinations were developed by Cambridge University; they are studied in more than 120 countries. They are an excellent preparation for A-levels.

“Despite those facts the current government deems them unsuitable for inclusion in its league tables. Schools Minister Nick Gibb used the word ‘unregulated’ to describe them.

“If it was not all so desperately damaging for the UK it would be laughable. The government’s mantra is Orwellian — ‘pass rates are falling so standards are rising’.

“Everyone apart from the government knows that these tables are not an accurate reflection of academic achievement; they do not enable parents to make informed decisions based upon accurate data.”