PRAISE and thanks for pupils and staff and criticism of the recently-introduced AS levels featured in the final Founder's Day speech of Kelly College head Mark Turner.

There was praise for pupils for their achievements — both academically and in sport, music, the arts and in the Duke of Edinburgh awards — and thanks to members of staff and governors for their efforts and support for him during his time at the college.

There was, however, criticism for the 'combined experts and politicians, who, for all their combined IQs, seem to be missing one vital ingredient — common sense'.

The attack came over the new AS levels taken by members of the Lower Sixth.

Mr Turner said although the aim of the exams to encourage greater breadth was 'laudable', the 'repeated introduction of new tiers of exams without any view of the global picture' had created a curriculum which had become 'hopelessly overloaded'.

Mr Turner added: 'I suspect that if we gave the job of redesigning the curriculum as their first piece of coursework to a committee from 1B they would make a far better job of it than the combined experts and politicians.'

He described the system of three consecutive years of major exams as 'barking mad' and felt some decision makers in the educational hierarchy were testing human beings 'to destruction', as was done to new cars.

'Real breadth,' said Mr Turner, 'comes not from the acquisition of another bit of paper or certificate, but from a challenging games programme, hands-on opportunities for leadership, the chance to take part in a house or school play and from standing in front of an audience in a school concert.'

In this state of curriculum confusion it was even more important for independent schools like Kelly to be 'a voice for common sense'.

Mr Turner concluded that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would always be ardent supporters of all that went on at Kelly.

They hoped to maintain contacts with the school wherever possible.